Cebu priests to offer counsel to settlers

The clergy will serve as advisors to Cebu settlers facing demolition as they seek a more active role in caring for their less fortunate flock, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said yesterday.

In a dialogue with urban poor groups held at the Pasil Sports Center yesterday morning, Palma agreed with a suggestion from one of the settlers that the priests serve as advisors during demolitions.

“Priests are shepherds. I can give them instructions. Rest assured, I will ask them to become your guidance counselor or advisers,” Cebu’s top prelate said.

Palma also said he will hold meetings with urban poor groups through their Task Force  Conscientization.

The task force serves as a partner of the association of religious superiors in the Philippines.

“Our concerns must be addressed through reflections, dialogue, and prayer),” Palma told 300 people gathered inside the gym.

Demolitions of shanties and the need for relocation sites were the main concerns raised by settlers during the dialogue.

Gerardo Pristin, a resident of barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, asked Palma to help them in these situations.

“The poor should not be left behind by those in power. We don’t know where we are going since we have no money,” Pristin said in Cebuano.

A Mahiga Creek resident named Elsie Arcipe said relocation should be prioritized.

“Asa na lang mi puyo kon i-demolish mi? (Where will we live if ever our houses will be demolished?),” she said.

Palma said the problems faced by the settlers are part of the trials they face in life.

“In life, there are waves. We hope for peaceful living but our journey is not like this. We will always experience problems. Amid our troubles, God is with us,” Palma said.

Archbishop Palma recently mediated between Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the Mahiga Creek settlers after Cebu City Hall pushed through with the demolition of shanties in the creek.

Cebu’s chief shepherd echoed the appeal of dislocated families for city officials to provide a relocation site for them. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol