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As the board of regents of the University of the Philippines (UP) meets this afternoon, Cebu City officials are pulling all stops to prevent the school from fencing their property in sitio San Jose, barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said they will ask Sen. Mar Roxas, a political ally of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, to help intercede in behalf of the 265 informal settlers occupying the property before the UP board of regents.
He said the mayor will explain the city's position to Roxas who will then relay their message to the board.
One of the city government's proposals is an onsite development of the UP-Visayas Cebu College (UPVCC) property.
UP-Visayas lawyer Jesus Isidro Atoc said the school had been offering a three-way lease agreement with the settlers and the city government.
He said this went unnoticed until after the fire hit the property last Nov. 11.
Atoc said the fire allowed the school to reassert its ownership over the property.
But he said they were barred from doing so because of barangay Lahug's refusal to issue them a fencing permit.
While the settlers tore down the signages that signified the school's ownership of the property, UPVCC secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Lahug barangay captain Maryann delos Santos who intervened and prevented the school from fencing the area.
Fernandez said he was worried that the TRO may set a legal precedent that would be used by the city's landowners in dealing with informal settlers.
He, along with the mayor, delos Santos, Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, North Dist.) and his daughter Cutie attended a silent rally held by urban poor groups in front of the UP grounds last week.
?We are in a country where the law prevails, the dictum is that we are in the rule of law and we are not in the rule of man. Are we going to take the law into our hands? Definitely I will not advise because I am a disciple of law,? Atoc told CEBU DAILY NEWS.
Atoc reiterated that UP has always been willing to have a three-way lease agreement with the settlers and the city government.
He explained that in case the settlers refuse to pay their lease obligations to UP, it should be the Cebu City government who will find ways to evict them.
Fernandez however said he has indirectly requested Roxas to heed the city's position.
He said relocation should not be the first option and that onsite development should be done instead of displacing hundreds of informal settlers.
?Our hope is to come up with an agreement (with UP),? Fernandez said.
