Sunday, August 19, 2007 City vows to act on Capitol’s request to clear land of squatters By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
THE Bacoldo City Government is ready to act on the request of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental to clear its land property of squatters.
This, as City Legal Officer Allan Zamora on Friday confirmed receipt of a notice from acting Governor Isidro Zayco, demanding the immediate removal of squatters from the Provincial Government’s property along San Juan Street and North Capitol Road areas.
The areas had already been cleared in a controversial demolition also ordered by Governor Joseph Marañon three years ago.
All demolished residents in the areas were transferred to Cabugwason area in Mansilingan.
Cabugwason is a relocation site prepared by the Province for all demolished Capitol squatters.
At present however, the Provincial Government noted once again the gradual mushrooming of houses in the same areas, prompting Provincial officials to call Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s attention to act on it before everything gets worse.
Zamora committed to act as demanded by Zayco’s letter in 15 days.
But he said he will double check the area referred to by Zayco as this might be within the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), adding, “this time it’s quite different from the previous years because the structures were built nearing the highway (San Juan Street).”
“Apparently, the squatters’ build up is already by the roadside. If confirmed that DPWH has jurisdiction over the area, then it will be like the area in Singcang where the City cannot do anything with those talipapas lining up the streets causing traffic,” Zamora said.
