MEMBERS of Urban Poor Alliance (UP ALL) held their first-ever ecumenical prayer Wednesday, July 19, 2023, as they celebrate the demolition of the “culvert” that was constructed along the seashore in Barangay Inayawan.
The six-year-old culvert was a project of the local government to serve as a shortcut access for garbage trucks going to the Barangay Inayawan landfill.
It was demolished in June 2023 as it affects fishing of people living in at least six barangays, including Barangay Mambaling, Basak San Nicolas, Inayawan and Bulacao where fishing is the primary source of income.
UP ALL president Gemma Rosacena said their alliance is a sectoral group that consists of fisherfolk, homeowners, vendors and women group. They aim to fight problems inside their community.
“Ang ato ani para mas dako ang atong coverage ba, para sa pag sulong nato sa atong mga problema ngadto sa City Hall, sa LGU. So murag nadungog man sad kay tungod nagkadako ang among grupo,” she said.
(The expansion of our alliance is to have greater coverage, and to raise and advance our problems to the City Hall, the LGU. And because our group is growing, it seems that they heard us.)
She said the demolition of the culvert was one of the alliance’s goals and that they are happy that the City Government demolished it this year, saying it was one of their major problems that affect their livelihood.
“Kani nga culvert natukod ni tungod kay para shortcut sa agian sa dumping (trucks). Pero wala na consider nila nga asa man padong ang mga sakayan,” Rosacena said.
(This culvert was constructed to provide a shortcut route for dumping trucks. However, they did not consider the pathway for the 'bancas', or where they will pass through.)
In September 2022, through the determination of the fisherfolk and affected nearby barangays, an executive session was held in City Hall to discuss the demolition, which was decided by the City Council through a resolution.
Aside from the ecumenical prayer, the group also held a fluvial parade that started at the bridge beside the University of Cebu-METC, down to SRP Mambaling, connecting to the Inayawan culvert to celebrate their victory. (GK Marie Dejacto and Kimberly Goc-ong, CNU interns)