Prayer service for 32 families facing demolition

A PRAYER service will be held at 8 a.m today ahead of a court hearing that would decide on the fate of the 32 families whose homes were scheduled for demolition today in barangay Luz, Cebu City.

The Cebu Solidarity with the Urban Poor will spearhead the prayer service in Cabantan Street, barangay Luz, Cebu City to support the “call to stop the demolition and for contending parties to dialogue” on their dispute.

“We go to barangay Luz to pray for a peaceful resolution,” said the Sr. Esther Suico of Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SSHJM).

The activity is held outside the gate of Gasa sa Gugma, a missionary charity group located across the Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN).

The group was formed during the birthday of the Virgin Mary last Sept. 8. It is composed of 24 organizations and communities in Cebu.

When asked what they will do if ever the demolition occurs they said “we can’t tell until we are in Bo. Luz.”

“The group will be in barangay Luz to pray that all involved will realize that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and sit down to dialogue,” they said.

In today’s court hearing at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 11, the Cebu City government asked RTC Judge Ramon Daomillas of Branch 11 to grant a one-month extension for them to find a suitable relocation site for the families.

Cebu City Legal Officer Leslie Reyes said they are still waiting on the City Council to  authorize Mayor Michael Rama to buy the property occupied by the families.

In their pleading, City Hall lawyers said there is no need to compel the settlers to vacate the area.  If the settlers are displaced, Reyes said the city government can’t provide a relocation site.

She said a resolution was approved by the Local Housing Board requesting the City Council to authorize Rama to negotiate with lot owners for the city to buy the property occupied by the families.

Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act provides that demolition shall not be made unless there is adequate relocation provided by the local government.

The 32 affected families in sitios Nangka, Lubi and Mabuhay in barangay Luz are facing eviction after they lost their civil suit filed against the Capitol, Cebu City Hall and two homeowners associations. Correspondents Tweeny M. Malinao and Edison delos Angeles with Ador Mayol