REPRESENTATIVES of the Quezon Boulevard Muslim-Christian Neighborhood Association (QBMCNA) who are facing demolition pleaded to officials of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) on Tuesday, April 24, to help reclaim their right to ownership of their lots in Barangay 26-C.
Association president Omar Batara said the settlers have improved the area during their stay for over 65 years.
"Naghangyo jud mi ug eksakto na paghangyo na kami jud inyong tabangan. Kay murag dili jud makatarungan kung imong tabangan kanang bag-o lang. Dili taga-Davao muabot lang, kalit lang ug pamalit na wala nagpahibalo sa mga namuyo,” Batara said during the consultation Tuesday.
(We are asking you to help us because it would not be right if you help someone who just came in, who is not from Davao, and someone who just bought the land and did not inform the settlers.)
Batara asked the officials of the PCUP to respect their rights and if possible they can just pay the lot monthly if that could help prevent the demolition.
The affected residents have long been hoping that the land would be awarded to them.
"There was a time when some homes of the area were to be demolished, even then Davao City Mayor and now the President Duterte said he knows about the story of the place, but he said only the court can decide who are the lot owners," Virgie Gonzales, president of the Lizada-Barangay 26-C Homeowners Association, said.
Prior to this dialogue, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio already told residents to respect the decision of the court, and that she was willing to provide lawyers to clarify the provisions of the law.
The mayor said residents also refused tagging which is a requirement for finding of relocation site.
Meanwhile, Davao City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag also said the local government could only help in ensuring that the demolition will be peaceful.
The Davao City Police Office also made arrangements in case tension between the demolition team and residents should ensue.
The authorities also said they were ready to respond in the area since there is already a demolition order from the court.
The demolition area covers a total of 3,515 square meters, where around 200 houses were built. (With reports from Jeepy P. Compio)