Mayor won’t give aid but Tomas, Cutie will
At least 20 families whose shanties were demolished along the Mahiga Creek in sitio San Isidro in barangay Mabolo will start receiving financial assistance next week from Cebu City Reps. Tomas Osmeña (south district) and Rachel “Cutie” del Mar (north district).
Mahiga Creek families who lost their homes wil get P5,000 each from Osmeña.
Del Mar is also giving out another P2,000 through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama refuses to give financial aid or relocation to settlers, saying this would only encourage more squatting.
Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon said Osmeña committed P6 million from his 2010 Priority Assistance Development Fund (PDAF) for those affected by demolitions in the city.
“I am so ashamed that we have a mayor who is telling the poor to (instead) challenge government (by filing a court case). There is a certain amount of arrogance there,” said Osmeña.
“All he thinks of is himself.”
Osmeña said he is certain that Rama would dialogue with the affected families when the 2013 election nears to apologize to them for the demolition and tell them that he was only misquoted about refusing to give assistance.
“Let them pursue their plan, I have my own stand,” Rama said, referring to the congressmen’s plans to give cash aid.
“There are congressmen who will give money. There are private organizations. Help the settlers,” Rama said.
Rama earlier said he declined to give financial assistance since this might encourage illegal settlers to build illegal structures.
He intensified the clearing demolition after the January 25 flood in Cebu City and Mandaue City.
“I am not anti-poor,” Rama added.
Rama earlier agreed to build a temporary shelter for the affected families of the Mahigan settlers.
He said he will hold a housing summit where the city government will plot a proper housing program for Cebu City.
He said he tasked the Division for the Welfare and Urban Poor to organize the event.
