LOAKAN barangay head Jesusa Lucio Viscaya said she was just doing her job as a local official in issues involving Loakan airport officer-in-charge Mary Sulyn Sagorsor.
"I am the punong barangay, my constituents were asking for my help," she said Saturday.
Viscaya said the mess involving Sagorsor started back in 2003 when she was still a barangay councilor.
Viscaya alleged that when Sagorsor assumed the position as airport officer-in-charge in 2005, a barangay resolution coursed through the City Government was passed requesting for expansion of the home owned by Concepcion de Guzman be removed.
In 2007, the expanded portion was voluntarily removed by de Guzman but did not stop there because in 2009 the home of de Guzman was also demolished.
"There are many complaints brought to me and as barangay head, I am mandated to do my job."
Viscaya admitted she did not sign design plans nor tree cutting permits needed to set up a waiting shed for well wishers and send off parties and communal comfort rooms "because de Guzman appealed her case, it is still with the courts to decide."
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) approved the cutting of a tree on the area even without the signature of Viscaya and the construction of the structure in de Guzman's contested lot has begun.
Viscaya said "[Sagorsor] never appeared to dialogue with us, she said the concerns of the CAAP, is under her jurisdiction."
The barangay head said a host of complaints has reached her office regarding Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) personnel under Sagorsor.
"There were gun totting incidents and killing of animals," the barangay captain said.
Viscaya said "if only [Sagorsor] would be humble enough to dialogue with us and handle her employees... there would be no problem."
Sagorsor gave a three-page reply to complaints filed by Marina Blanco, Ericson Galace, Melita Roy backed by Viscaya of "immorality, grave abuse of authority, vindictiveness and oppressive acts, arrogance in her position and loan sharking."
Viscaya said she had to back the complaints of her constituents while Sagorsor brands these mere rehashes of old issues.
She also cites the case of Loida Jordan who is a resident of the airport facility like Sagorsor.
Viscaya said Jordan lives in an old building of the airport with the permission from the Manila office.
A store was set up by Jordan, to which a business permit was not issued by the City Government because the punong barangay alleged it was requested by Sagorsor to be held in abeyance.
Viscaya said a letter from Mayor Peter Bautista Jr. is in existence giving Jordan permission to operate but is held back because of a request by the airport head.
Viscaya further said Sagorsor is in the same position as Jordan, occupying a lot inside airport premises.
The barangay head admitted the problem has been long drawn out but does not discount the possibility of mediation, saying she has always been open to this avenue to settle their differences.