• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Two of the three house owners in Purok Katilingban, Barangay 39, Bacolod City, have agreed to voluntarily vacate the government property to make way for the construction of a new Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) building.
The decision followed a re-dialogue Sept. 17 between affected residents Ednalyn Maglasang and Mark Andrew Valero, City Legal Office (CLO) head, Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu, and local barangay officials.
The compromise came after a demolition attempt Sept. 10 that was halted following a standoff with residents identifying themselves as members of the Hiligaynon Sectoral Tribal Council Inc.
Enrico Nicor, who claimed to be the tribal chieftain, insisted that time of seeing a court order before allowing the demolition to proceed.
Barangay 39 officials clarified that the land was originally donated by the Lizares family to the provincial government of Negros Occidental, which is turning over the site to the PCSO for its new building.
Atty. Bartolome Malde Jr. of the CLO said the two house owners indicated that they have begun gradually dismantling their houses.
Malde noted that, per the Brgy. 39 captain, the PCSO offered partial assistance to the affected residents, with full financial aid to be released once the two structures were completely dismantled.
It is providing 60 days of minimum wage, equivalent to over P32,000, for households without an available relocation site.
Malde added that the city, through the Department of Social Services and Development, will also provide financial support through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
Malde said they are continuing to reach out to the remaining homeowner, Nicor, who asserted ownership over the land. | TMD
