Rama to Construct Brgy. Ermita School without Delays

Occupants in lot where school building to be constructed  ordered to vacate April 15

Mayor Michael Rama does not want to delay the construction of Ermita Elementary School in Barangay Ermita that is why he is not in favor to extend the date of clearing of the lot where the school building is to be constructed.

The 67 persons who are still occupying the lot, which was already purchased by the Cebu City government, have been ordered already to vacate the place not later than April 15.

The city had already purchased two parcels of lots in Barangay Ermita from Alberto Manda where the school is to be constructed, but those people who are renting the building that used to be owned by Manda still does not want to vacate the place.

The 67 persons who are renting the Mandatan Building are members of the Carbon Muslim Brotherhood Inc. headed by Datu Esmael Bao sought the help of the city legislators yesterday.

Councilor Alvin Dizon, head of the City Council’s committee on housing, had proposed a resolution, which was passed by the legislative body, asking the mayor to first conduct a consultation with the affected occupants before evicting them.

But Rama, in a separate interview, said his personnel had already conducted consultation with the affected persons that is why the officials of Barangay Ermita headed by Captain Antonieto Flores had already asked the concerned people to abandon the building.

“While the construction of the school is for public purpose and will undoubtedly benefit the students in Ermita, it is also incumbent upon the city government to address the needs of the 67 building occupants who will be affected by the construction of the school,” said Dizon.

He asked the Local School Board to first conduct a consultation with the occupants to discuss solutions to their plight. The mayor described Dizon’s move as politically motivated.

The one-page notice issued by the barangay captain said that if the concerned renters will insist not to leave the place, the city’s clearing team would be compelled to effect the demolition of the building.

At present while Ermita did not have a school, children in Barangay Ermita would be compelled to walk far for them to learn at the City Central School, which is one kilometer-away from Ermita.