36 Tejero families urged to voluntarily demolish structures

THE head of Cebu City’s demolition team has asked at least 36 families in barangay Tejero to voluntarily demolish their structures which are obstructing the city’s road restoration project.

Raquel Arce issued a 10-day notice asking the concerned families to get rid of their structures which have become a public “nuisance.”

“In view of the above, you are hereby given 10-days notice upon receipt to voluntarily clear your illegal structures on the said location or secure a hold order from the office of the mayor or a TRO from the court. Thereafter, it you fail to heed this advisory, our office will implement the strict provision of the law in compliance with the clearing order dated Sept. 30, 2013,” said Arce in a November 18 notice which she sent out on Monday.

Tejero councilor Garry Lao said that affected families have been calling their barangay hall since Monday morning for help.

Lao complained about the barangay being bypassed in the distribution of the notices when there are still several issues especially on the relocation of the affected families which need to be addressed.

“If we will implement this, what will happen to the residents? Where will they stay? The city government has yet to answer these questions,” said Lao in Cebuano.

road restoration project

The city’s road restoration project is Mayor Michael Rama’s brainchild following a 2011 fire in barangay Tejero which burned several structures.

Rama wanted to restore Alviola Street into the 10-meter road that it used to be. He also wanted the road to connect to a portion of General Maxilom Avenue in barangay Carreta to provide easy access to fire trucks and other emergency vehicles in case another fire would hit the thickly-populated community.

Negotiations were made, but Lao said, the occupants’ concerns have remained unanswered.

Barangay officials, Lao said, also requested for a meeting with the Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), City Planning Office and Probe but no date for the dialog has been scheduled./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac