Rama order Continue Bato reblocking
CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama ordered yesterday the continuation of the clearing operations at the fire site in Bato, Ermita to allow the implementation of the city's reblocking plans.
Rama yesterday directed Raquel Arce, head of the city's demolition team, to charge anybody who would try to delay their clearing operations.
Arce complained of delays in their clearing operations because of the opposition from Bato residents.
She said that some residents tried to block the way of heavy equipment operators
“We can go to court for that. Ug dan ang ilang gi babagan, there is no need to go to court,” said Rama.
Rama said he will also be asking Police Coordinating Advisory Council (PCAC) chairman Eugene Elizalde to assist Arce in the Bato clearing operations.
The mayor said if he is not busy with his campaigning, he would personally oversee the clearing operations so that reblocking could already start.
“Ayaw lang na sila pahuwata nga mahuman ang election,” he warned.
The sitio Bato, barangay Ermita was hit by fire last April 20 leaving 462 homeless and razing 267 houses.
Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City's south district for his part said that the occurrence of fire should not be used as an “excuse” to implement reblocking in highly congested communities.
“This only goes to show that he (Rama) is insensitive of the people (Bato families),” said Osmeña.
Osmeña said that reblocking should also be properly planned and the affected families consulted prior to its implementation.
“If you need to reblock, start with consultation. You don't start with a bulldozer,” he said.
Osmeña said that he also had his share of demolition when he was still mayor. One of which is the demolition of vendors along the Osmeña Boulevard corridor of the basilica. But the demolition was not implemented overnight.
He consulted with vendors for a year and had new stalls built for them along the D. Jakosalem side of the church. /Reporter Doris C. Bongcac