DILG chief: Probe Mahiga demolition

LOCAL Government Secretary Jessie Robredo has ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas to look into Cebu City government’s clearing operations of the Mahiga Creek.

Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon showed reporters a text message of Robredo’s order.

“From Atty. Angel Ojastro of Office DILG Sec Robredo: Hi, Director (Pedro) Noval. Please investigate ASAP the ongoing demolitions in Cebu City if strictly compliant with our (Memorandum Circular) MC 2010-134, if not, please immediately advise LGU to suspend evictions until they comply,” the text message said.

However, Robredo, when asked yesterday about the Mahiga situation, said he only knew about it yesterday morning.

“Ako lang po, ah… officially this has not been brought to our attention until this morning when Councilor Alvin Dizon wrote me on my Facebook inquiring on the legality on the demolition,” said Robredo, who was in Cebu City yesterday for the launching of the his agency’s website and the covenant signing of the full disclosure policy with the 248 local government leaders in Region 7.

Robredo said he would hear both sides—the Cebu City government and those of the affected families.

“By law, relocation and consultation are important components of the demolitions,” he said.

The city could be facing administrative charges if it was found out that it violated the Urban Development and Housing Act.

“But it is not good for us to talk about the sanctions before looking into the facts. We need to get the facts first,” Robredo told reporters.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, for his part, said that he would just wait for the outcome of the case to avoid sub judice.

Rama was referring to the petition for a temporary restraining order filed by the affected families at the Regional Trial Court to stop the demolition of their houses along the Mahiga Creek.

“In an issue, there will be two sides. My side and their side. As a lawyer, once the court already has the jurisdiction on the case, I cannot anymore discuss the merits,” Rama said.

He, however, said he had yet to receive a copy of the petition. /Correspondent Edison A. Delos Angeles