Mahiga Creek demolition on hold due to ‘Dodong’

ALL demolitions in Cebu City are on hold due to bad weather.

Mayor Michael Rama yesterday suspended the conduct of clearing operations of illegal structures before he left for Israel on official business.

He acted based on weather forecasts of rains with the entry of tropical depression “Dodong.”

Rama tasked the Division of the Welfare for the Urban Poor(DWUP) to present their plans on housing projects for the homeless when he returns on June 16.

“It is a policy of our administration to continue and sustain the clearing and restoration works…However, with the advent of the rainy season, guided by the pronouncement of PAG-ASA, I am giving instructions to temporarily stop the clearing operation,” Rama said.

Under the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, evictions and demolitions have to be carried out in “good weather” unless residents voluntarily vacate their homes.

About 30 families displaced from the Mahiga Creek are being housed in tents set up in Block 27 of the North Reclamation Area(NRA) as a temporary relocation site.

The mayor tasked city administrator Jose Marie Poblete to oversee clearing and restoration works.

DWUP chief Collin Rosell was told to hold planning sessions on how to set up realistic and affodable housing projects of the city.

“I want to have results not necessarily the final output, when I come back” said Rama.

The mayor said he wants to know if the city government needs to acquire new lots or just develop existing sites.

Rama was set to fly to Israel last night to attend an annual 5-day international conference of mayors. Corresopndent Fatrick Tabada