Residents rally vs DOJ clearing in DA compound

Residents of Department of Agriculture (DA) compound along M. Velez Street, Cebu City held a rally yesterday to complain against the Department of Justice, which they accused of disobeying an injunction order that limits them from building any structure a

The injunction, which was released on August 20, 2010 by Judge Douglas A.C. Maregomen, enjoins the Province of Cebu “from occupying or making use of the buildings of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and from evicting the persons who are dwelling in the compound located in the property in dispute.”

On May 15 of this year, residents have started seeing crew from a private contracting firm cutting trees inside the compound. Just yesterday morning the crew demolished the last existing poultry.

Carlos G. Lucero, vice president and spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture Cebu Breeding Residence Association Incorporated (DACBRAI) and who has been residing inside the compound, said that they’re doing the rally because what the DOJ has done contradicts the law.

Lucero said they just kept quiet at first but now they want their voice heard so people can become aware of the injustices done by a government agency that is supposed to uphold the law.

Lucero reiterated that it is important for the DA to remain since its laboratory facilities are used for testing viral infections that may affect poultry and livestock in Region 7.

The DA laboratories assist individuals, veterinarians, and farmers among others, through confirmatory diagnostic tests.

In 2010, DA transferred its operations to Barangay Subangdako, Mandaue City. However, the new location could not accommodate all DA laboratories and equipment.

The group of Lucero is hoping that President Rodrigo Duterte will soon be aware of what’s happening.

“Iyang tabangan ang mga kabos labi na sa pag implimetar sa patas nga balaod.” said Lucero.