Tension broke out during the October 7 demolition of houses along the Mahiga creek in sitio Mahayag, barangay Subangdaku,, Mandaue City. But those in sitio Mahusay promised to tear down their houses voluntarily. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
Informal settlers in sitio Mahusay, barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City promised to cooperate to ensure a peaceful demolition tomorrow.
“Dili gyud mi gusto ug samok, gipasalig namo nga peaceful ang among pagguba sa balay (We really don’t like any chaos, we promised a peaceful demolition of our houses.),” said Maria Teresa Pitogo, spokesperson of the residents’ association.
“We wanted to see that our housing materials can still be used, that is why we also decided to submit to a voluntary demolition,” she said in Bisayan.
Tomorrow, 162 more houses that were found encroaching on the three-meter easement of the Mahiga Creek will be demolished.
Last Oct. 7, their counterparts in sitio Mahayag were the first to go in the demolition of houses which was met with fierce opposition from residents near the M. Logarta Bridge, facing Ouano Avenue at the North Reclamation Area.
Sitio Mahayag families had blocked the demolition team and Mandaue officials from going in their community.
Authorities tried to negotiate but because the residents were firm with their opposition, firemen doused them with water, causing injuries where a mother and daughter were among those hurt.
The residents continue to hope that Mayor Jonas Cortes would grant their request for an extension until March next year, although Subangdaku Barangay Captain Ernie Manatad already explained to them that this request could never be granted.
“Ato sila gihangyo nga wala lang unta’y clash or gubot nga mahitabo inig-Monday. (We asked them not to be unruly on Monday). That as much as possible they should set a good example of obedience to other people,” he added.
Despite the residents’ assurance, Manatad said policemen from the Suabangdaku Polcie Station and members of the Special Weapons and Tactics as well as firefighters are ready.
Manatad said the residents in sitio Mahusay have “cooler minds” than those in sitio Mahayag. The residents already received a notice of demolition from Mandaue last 2011 yet.
Records from the Housing and Urban Development Office of Mandaue show that of the 162 households, 112 availed of the relocation site in the 6.5-hectare Housing Project in barangay Paknaan while 50 decided to get the monetary aid.
The Department of General Services of Mandaue will also start to fence off both sides of sitio Mahayag.
Manatad already advised the residents to get all the materials left in the area before the fencing starts.
“Residents who are still in the area, those who do not have intention to vacate will be again forcefully evicted,” Manatad said.
He also added that they already gota go signal from the Commission on Human Rights to place residents who will resist the clearing in a PNP vehicle for them to “cool” down.
“This is beyond the mayor’s and my decision, they will understand soon that what we are doing are for the better,” he said.
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