Village demolition ironed out

THE Bacolod City Council committee on laws and ordinances discussed with the various stakeholders Tuesday the planned demolition of 29 houses at Barangay 7, Bacolod City, for the opening a new access road via 15th Lacson Street.

Barangay 7 council led by village chief Bernabe Sibug, affected residents who are members of the Urban Poor Purok Magnolia Chapter (UPPMC), City Legal Officer Cesar Beloria, Bacolod Housing Authority head Josephine Segundino and representatives from the GSIS and Office of the City Mayor discussed the issues and concerns relative to the forthcoming demolition.

After the discussion, all parties agreed to the demolition of the illegal structures that block the area intended for road lots, open spaces and sidewalks.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, who chairs the committee on laws and ordinances, said the disputed property intended for the road lots belongs to the city, as the city purchased it from the GSIS.

However, the entire 1.7-hectare area that houses 280 families at Barangay 7 belongs to the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), which has already fully paid GSIS for the property.

With the purchase, the 280 families were placed under the coverage of the government’s Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

Only 29 families will be affected by the demolition, said lawyer Cesar Beloria, head of the City Legal Composite Enforcement Team, which will implement the demolition.

Out of the 29 affected families, 26 families have pre-qualified for the CMP. Out of the 26 pre-qualified families, 15 are members of the UPPMC, while 11 are non-members.

Though the date of its implementation has not yet been discussed, Beloria said it will be implemented before the MassKara Festival on October because the area will be considered as a pilot area for the anti-poverty program of the Aquino administration.

Distrito said it is for the good of the city if there is a road in 15th Lacson Street because it will decongest traffic.

The residents who will be covered under the CMP will pay NHMFC P220 per square meter. There is already a preliminary subdivision program that will be reviewed by the Bacolod Housing Authority.

Segundino, BHA head, said that the informal settlers should start obtaining lots while the city still has available lots for them.

Meanwhile, Sibug asked Beloria for proper coordination with the barangay regarding the planned demolition because, when they first had their survey in the area, they have not passed through the barangay and the barangay had a hard time explaining to the people regarding the planned demolition.

Beloria acknowledged such lapses and assured the council and Sibug that, when they finalize the demolition, they will coordinate with the Barangay 7 officials. (Carla N. Canet)