Council halts CitiCenter demolition

SUSPENSION.Demolition at CitiCenter in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City may be suspended for 20 days if Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will not prevent the implementation of the order approved by the city council.(Sun.Star Foto/USJ-R Mass Comm Intern Samie Gonzaga)

THE Cebu City Council yesterday ordered a 20-day suspension of the demolition at the CitiCenter Complex in Barangay Kamagayan.

But Mayor Michael Rama is not inclined to heed the resolution of the council sponsored by Councilor Sisinio Andales.

That (resolution) is just a request; it can be granted or not. As early as 2010, there was already a plan to bring in a new dimension in Kamagayan, Rama said in his regular press conference yesterday.

Rama then presented his administrations plan for the CitiCenter.

It was Atty. Benjamin Militar, representing the 200 families living in the complex, who wrote a letter to Rama asking for the suspension.

Militar appeared before the council yesterday to make the same plea.

Councilor Alvin Dizon noted that the demolition might have some violations from City Ordinance (CO) 2356, which was passed in July 30, 2013, which he authored.

For one, there should be a consultation between the City and the informal settlers before the demolition.

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Council halts CitiCenter demolition