Cebu City Halts Demolition in City-owned Properties

The Cebu City Government has suspended the implementation of all its demolition orders in city-owned properties starting Monday.

Under the memorandum signed by Acting Cebu City Mayor Margarita Osmeña, all demolition orders involving vendors and informal settlers occupying public places and city-owned properties are suspended until further notice.

Osmeña is the wife of Cebu City mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña.

“Let’s just clean things up and set straight directions,” she said.

The memorandum states that the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), Cebu City Local Housing Board, the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) Office, and the City Legal Office are prohibited from issuing any order, notice or recommendation as regards the demolition or eviction of vendors and informal settlers.

The memorandum, however, does not cover court-ordered demolitions and to new structures constructed by informal settlers as of last January, as certified by the barangay local government units concerned.

The suspension also doesn’t apply if there’s an urgent need to relocate families to prevent loss of lives and property. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS