The rain gave a temporary reprieve to these informal settlers from the demolition. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
CEBU City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya called on the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to conduct an ocular inspection and relocation survey on a disputed lot in Sitio Tanke in Barangay Mambaling.
Gabuya made the appeal after settlers who were affected by last month’s demolition asked him for help as they claimed to be occupying city-owned property.
Last June 29, more than 20 houses were demolished in the area through an order issued by Judge Pamela Baring-Uy of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 6.
Baring-Uy issued a writ of demolition addressed to 500 Sitio Tanke families.
The land claimant, Antonio Abellana, presented himself as the heir of the original landowners, Felisa Bagano and Ruperto Bagano.
There were 500 households composed of 1000 families that live within the 7,656-square-meter lot claimed by Abellana.
Gabuya, who was appointed deputy mayor for the urban poor sector by Mayor Tomas Osmeña, said the settlers maintained that the lot they occupied was not covered by the demolition order.
They claimed the writ of demolition covers only occupants of Lot No. 2836-G while the protesting residents contend they are occupying the neighboring Lot. No. 2863-F.
“A relocation survey may either confirm or negate their claim that they live in city-owned property,” Gabuya told reporters.