Tension rose as houses encroaching on F. Ramos Ext. were torn down by the Cebu city government yesterday.
The demolition went ahead despite pleas from residents of Maria Cristina Panaghiusa Organization, barangay officials and Councilor Alvin Dizon.
“We already gave them enough time since April to start transferring. We are implementing this demolition order to restore the road lot here,” said team head Raquel Arce of the Prevention Restoration Order Beauitifcaiton Enhancement (Probe).
F. Ramos Extension road, located at the back of Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, came to a dead end where the houses stood.
After the illegal structures were removed, the road continues to the Baseline area.
Arce said drug paraphernalia was confiscated from the shanties.
Members of a demolition team from the Cebu City government tear down illegal structures of F. Ramos Ext., barangay Capitol Site despite pleas form barangay officials and residents.
She said the city issued the first demolition notice last April 8. Another notice was served on April 20 and a third with a 72-hour warning on May 6.
A relocation site in Pit-os, Talamban is provided but some resident complainted that it lacked electricity and water supply.
Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon said more time should have been given for the residents.
“They were only able to receive P10,000 financial assistance from a foundation, not from the city government, yesterday (Thursday).
They should be given more time to start buying materials and start building their houses,” Guanzon said.
He said almost a hundred families were displaced.
He said some residents plan to file a complaint against city officials before the Ombudsman Visayas for the demolition.
The Cebu City Council has scheduled an executive session on June 3 to discuss the concerns of residents whose homes were demolished./REPORTER JOSE SANTINO S. BUNACHITA