Displaced families seek relocation aid in Lapu

EIGHTEEN families are asking for relocation from Lapu-Lapu City officials after their shanties were demolished in a private lot in barangay Punta Engaño at 1 p.m. last Thursday.

The writ of demolition was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 of Lapu-Lapu City after it favored plaintiff Lucia Pagobo over claimant Maximo Pagobo.

The families questioned the demolition order, claiming it didn’t bear an official seal.

Renato Dungog, one of the occupants, said they showed a copy of the court order to Barangay Captain Lourdes Ibag who told them not to believe it.

Now without homes, the settlers went back to Ibag for help, but she was nowhere to be found. They later went to barangay councilor Josie Hayashi, who told them to follow the court order and vacate the area.

The settlers were later provided tents and food packs at a vacant lot near the demolition site. Court sheriff Miguel Igot said the barangay hall of Punta Engaño was also facing demolition.

But he said it was spared after the Lapu-Lapu City government and the lot owner finalized a deal to purchase the lot where it stands.

Rommil Recahuerta, a security guard whose house was demolished said they are hoping that the city government can provide them a relocation site.

“My family is from Ronda town, Cebu and we don’t have plans to return there because I am working here and my children are also studying here,” he said. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza