Cebu City Legislator Quits As Housing Chair After Council Fails To Override Veto On 1-Year Moratorium On Demolitions

Cebu City Council Alvin Dizon has resigned as chairperson of the council’s housing committee after members of the majority bloc of the council failed to override the veto on the ordinance imposing a one-year moratorium on all demolitions initiated by the city government.

Dizon authored the ordinance with Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella as his co-author.

With 11 votes in favor, one against and four abstentions, members of the legislative body were not able to override the veto of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who was then acting mayor when the ordinance was passed.

Labella resumed as presiding officer of the council after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama returned to his post Tuesday after serving a 60-day suspension imposed by the Office of the President.

It only takes one more vote to override the veto, considering that 12 favorable votes, or two thirds of the total number of the members are required.

It was the second time the ordinance was passed in the council and also the second time it was disapproved in the executive department.

Labella, who was then acting mayor, vetoed the ordinance, saying the moratorium contradicts Republic Act (RA) 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992.

The moratorium will supposedly cover danger areas such as esteros, garbage dumps, railroad tracks, riverbanks, shorelines and waterways, and public places such as sidewalks, roads, parks, public cemeteriesand playgrounds and areas where government infrastructure projects with available funding are about to be implemented, which was objected by Labella.

He said summary evictions and demolitions are allowed in these areas under Section 28 of RA 7279, Labella said.

“I’m sorry if I have to make this decision, this might not be a popular decision, but I am a lawyer, there are provisions in the ordinance that can’t be done. Let’s just follow what is right,” Labella said. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS