Urban poor want lawyers to aid them vs demolition

SEVERAL urban poor in Cebu City are asking the City Government to create a group of lawyers who will defend them against ejection cases and stop court-ordered demolitions.

They don’t have money to pay lawyers, said Alliance of National Urban Poor Assembly (Anupa) Evangeline Abejo.

She said majority of the urban poor cannot put up a good fight against private individuals or firms who want to get the lots they are occupying.

“Gusto namo ipaabot sa City nga nasayod mi nga gatabang sila namo against sa implementation sa mga court-ordered demolition pero kinahanglan nga palapdan pa, pakusgan pa, palawman pa ang pagtabang (We know the City helps us against demolitions, but the help is not enough),” she said.

Around 107 individuals who have been victims of court-ordered demolitions and are facing yet another demolition held a protest march yesterday morning from Plaza Independencia to Colon.

No more

They are saying no to more court-ordered demolitions.

Sought for comment about their request, Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said that it is not difficult.

He said the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor is the one helping address the needs of the affected families.

However, he would also want that the same challenge be given to the members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu and the Young Lawyers Association.

Petition

“It may not just be the City only kay ang atong city lawyers daghan kaayo sad ug giatiman (Our lawyers have many other things to do),” he said.

The mayor asked the urban poor to give him a copy of their petition, if there are any, so he can assess where the City can come in.

“But what is very clear is we recognize their concerns,” he said.

The urban poor also held a protest march yesterday to oppose any more plans to refile the ordinance that seeks to impose a one-year moratorium against City-initiated demolitions.

Abejo said this is illegal as national laws provide that a local government unit can remove structures, especially those that are located in danger zones such as creeks and other waterways.

Instead of a moratorium, Abejo said the City should fast-track the development of its existing relocation sites and purchase more habitable lots.