Cebu NGOs to Cebu City Government: EXPLORE ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS BEFORE UNDERTAKING INDISCRIMINATE DEMOLITIONS AND EVICTIONS
posted by Admin under Press Releases on Jun 1st, 2011 with No Comments
At the heart of the heated exchange of words over the ongoing demolition of home structures along the Mahiga Creek are the urban poor families’ lives and human rights.
Our Constitution tells us that in all phases of development, social justice must be a primary concern. And in carrying it out, respect for the rights and the dignity of every human being should be upheld. Although we understand and appreciate the Cebu City Government’s efforts to clear the river of structures occupying danger areas, we also ask it to be faithful to the constitutional mandate of carrying out evictions and demolitions “in accordance with law and in a just and humane manner” (Article 13, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution). This constitutional provision is further substantiated by Section 28 of RA 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) and DILG Memorandum Circular 2010-134.
More than a struggle for human dignity through decent housing, the case of Mahiga Creek illustrates the underprivileged’s constant combat to survive. Hence, we ask the City Government to deliver social justice to those concerned by providing them options before taking away their shelters and homes.
The National Housing Authority has made it known that the city can still avail of the P78 million from the PAF3 facility. This amount, used efficiently, can go a long way to finally developing existing relocation sites and purchasing new sites for the housing needs of families living on danger zones.
Given this opportunity, we humbly put forth the following: that the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to work in coordination with the City’s Local Housing Board to formulate a relocation plan consistent with the approved Cebu City Shelter Framework. The plan is an essential instrument in providing a sustainable solution to the Mahiga Creek case in particular and to the housing concerns of the City in general. Secondly, as an immediate preventive action, we also urge the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to help equip these communities to better respond to the risks and calamities while awaiting the development of the relocation sites. Thirdly, a long term strategy based on an updated Cebu City Comprehensive Land Use Plan needs to be crafted to enable the City to be responsive to its development issues.
Finally, we observe that the “rule of law”, an essential component of good governance, is invoked in the ongoing demolition of Mahiga Creek dwellers. We need to remind our authorities that the rule of law implies the impartial enforcement of laws. Shanties as well as concrete structures within the three-meter easement of waterways must be demolished without preference.
We recognize the need to reclaim our waterways. But these efforts should be part of an integrated approach at reviving our water systems, clearing the easements and providing for the immediate needs of the affected families living along these.
On our end as network of non-government organizations, Kaabag sa Sugbu is conducting community organizing and capacity building activities such as trainings and seminars geared towards helping these communities live with dignity and increasing their confidence to participate in local governance.
The City Government and non-government organizations owe their existence and reason for being to the people they both serve. The general welfare of the stakeholders should remain as the primary concern in spite of the opposing views of a powerful few.
Related posts:
- Kaabag Co-hosts The Metro Cebu Sharing of Best Practices on Housing and Development for the Poor
- Kaabag sa Sugbo Asserts Relevance in Housing Security and Tenure Issues