Council wants to suspend Citicenter demolition

The Cebu City Council yesterday insisted that demolition work in the Citicenter complex in barangay Kamagayan be suspended.

The council also told City Administrator Lucelle Mercado to explain the involvement of Carreta barangay chairman Eduardo Lauron in the ongoing demolition and to report on where materials from the demolished structures went.

The demolition went ahead despite a council resolution passed on August 27 calling for a 20-day extended moratorium.

Legislators said they want to be briefed on the mayor’s reblocking and development plan of the area.

Mayor Michael Rama said he wants to use the site for a housing project site for Cebu City Hall employees.

Mercado told reporters that the barangay captain offered to help demolish the dilapidated complex.

The council discussed the case in an an executive session yesterday.

Reblocking

Market administrator Raquel Arce, who heads the Prevention Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team, said they merely cleared the complex of illegal structures.

She said it was Lauron who facilitated the demolition of the Citi Center Complex which houses 80 Kamagayan families.

Colin Rosell, head of the Department of Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), said displaced families are occupying tents set up in a portion of the compound.

After the reblocking, Rosell said the families will be allowed to build and occupy temporary shelters until an urban poor condominium is built there.

Rosell said displaced families will share the urban poor condominium with City Hall employees.

“If the housing project is implemented, they will be among the beneficiaries,” he said.

Councilor Sisinio Andales said future reblocking plans should secure approval of the City Council.

Related Stories:

City Hall team begins demolition of houses near Citicenter

Ceasefire in Apas demolition

No TRO vs. Apas demolition