Palma agrees to dialogue with Rama on demolition impasse
The Cebu Archdiocese was asked to help resolve the impasse over ongoing clearing operations between the Mahiga Creek settlers and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
The sitio San Isidro Homeowners Association and Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc. chief Francisco Fernandez met with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at the Archbishop’s Palace on D. Jakosalem Street after attending a court hearing at the Palace of Justice.
The 10-minute meeting was held in a conference room at the Archbishop’s Palace in the back of the old chapel.
Councilor Alvin Dizon, who attended the meeting, said Palma agreed to dialogue with Rama.
Fernandez said they asked Palma to convince Mayor Rama to suspend the demolition until a suitable relocation site is provided for the settlers.
They also asked for the Archbishop’s prayers “to soften the heart of the mayor,” Fernandez said.
“Being the Cebu archbishop, he would help because he understands the plight of the settlers. Palma said he is also looking for the physical and spiritual condition of the Cebuanos,” Fernandez said.
Social justice
Dizon, who chairs the City Council housing committee, said the affected families will provide Palma with the documents on the Mahiga Creek settlers’ case this Monday.
The meeting with Palma was arranged on request of the foundation.
Representatives and leaders of creekside communities in sitios San Isidro, Lahing-lahing, Magtalisay and Holy Name in barangay Mabolo attended the meeting held after the court hearing on their petition on a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the demolition.
Of the four creekside communities, only San Isidro residents have been hit by the city’s clearing operations so far.
“The affected families asked the church to support their cause because this is an issue of social justice and human rights,” Dizon said.
Fernandez said he will withdraw all cases against Rama if a relocation site is provided for the settlers.
He said he no longer intends to enter into a consultancy contract with the city government under Dizon’s office.
Rama softening
Fernandez, a former city administrator, said he feels relieved that Rama is beginning to soften on his stance against relocation based on reports he heard that the mayor never turned it down.
“At least the complaints are having an effect on Rama. But Mike should have taken care of that responsibility even before the demolition started,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Fernandez said the displaced families from the Mahiga Creek were even willing to move to the temporary relocation site in block 27 of the North Reclamation Area (NRA), located a block away from the demolition site.
“The City Hall lawyers didn’t know about this. The families were willing to relocate, they just needed a little push. If pushed, they will transfer. The city government didn’t know how to handle it,” Fernandez said.
Mayor Rama ordered the clearing of waterways in anticipation of next month’s rainy season.
The water level at the Mahiga Creek rose and overflowed last week due to the recent spate of rains.
The weather bureau Pag-asa said more rains are expected in the next few days with the end of summer.
Tomas order
The mayor said relocation concerns were already referred to the city’s Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUF).
Rama said he was only carrying out a previous order to clear the creek and other waterways by his predecessor, former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.
But Fernandez said the demolition of structures at the Mahiga Creek in sitio San Isidro was unnecessary.
He said dredging could have started at the opening of the creek located near the Citom impounding area at block 27 before heading upstream.
This would have provided the city government enough time to convince the sitio San Isidro families to relocate, Fernandez said.
“It’s not a question of lack of money for relocation because there is P80 million from NHA, which the city can use for developing a relocation site. I’ve been telling Mike that even before. Why rush the demolition?” Fernandez said.
