Demolition starts in old nursery site

She went out of the house  about 8 a.m. yesterday to have rice milled for her baby’s “lugaw” (porridge).

When she returned  soon after, 29-year-old  Christine Quiamco, saw a  City Hall wrecking crew  tearing  down her shanty at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City.

The mother said she didn’t have enough money for a jeepney ride to go  tell her common-law huband that their home was being demolished.

“Inig uli niya unya makakita na lang siya nga wala na mi balay (When he comes home tonight, he’ll see  we no longer have a house),” the teary eyed mother  said.

Clearing operations paused when close to 20 affected residents went to City Hall to appeal for a suspension of the demolition of structures in the city-owned nursery lot being cleared on orders of the mayor , who wants to set up the S. Osmeña Business Park.

Antonio Hermosisima, head of the demolition team,  showed occupants a 10-day notice to vacate which lapsed on Monday.

Another group  32 families in the old nursery facility also face eviction.

They appealed to Mayor Michael Rama last Monday to hold off  until after Christmas. The appeal was referred to  the City Legal Office.

Evangeline Abejo, head of the Nasudnong Katawhang Kabus (Nakabus), the umbrella organization of different urban poor groups in the city, said  the clearing operations should be put on hold  while affected families comply with requirements for their application for a relocation site with the Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP).

DWUP head Collin Rosell assured them their request  will be attended to.

“If you receive notice to vacate, you should go to the DWUP so we can process your relocation,” said Rosel in Cebuano.