SOME homeowners demanded that the Mindanao Railway Project- Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) realignment project be removed from their premises.
During the 18th City Council session on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, Monteritz Classic Estates Homeowners Association vice president Dr. Victor Espino pleaded to members of the City Council to consider their request to move the realignment away from their homes.
“We want the railway to be aligned kung saan walang maapektuhan talaga which is ‘yung Diversion Road. Talaga kasing tatamaan ang Phase 1 of Monteritz. The acquisition cost will be very expensive compared sa iiwas nalang nila,” Espino said in a phone interview with SunStar Davao Wednesday, February 13, adding that even if the project will not affect their homes, it will affect their comfort.
“Everybody was caught by surprise kung bakit ganun na ang nangyari. Bakit yung sa amin ayaw iwasan kung may option naman na iwasan. Unless otherwise, no choice talaga,” he added.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Eymard Eje told SunStar Davao Wednesday that the request was not possible anymore.
"The request would not be possible anymore. In government projects such as this one, whenever there is somebody affected by it, solving it might force another property that would be affected. We should remember that is not all about Monteritz or Town Plaza," Eje said.
He said the realignment plan made for Monteritz is already the fifth plan and it is the option that would affect fewer properties in the city.
During committee hearings about the MRP-TDD, the committee on public works and highway chaired by Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado verified that the homeowners of Monteritz were in attendance and was consulted on the plan.
Documents from the same office confirmed the homeowners did not complain until Tuesday when the new realignment plan was already in place.
However, Espino denied that a consultation was made by the DOTr to the homeowners.
“We were never called for any meeting whatsoever. Nagulat nalang kami na two weeks ago, prinesent sa amin na ganoon na ang magiging alignment,” Espino said.
“Originally, yung nakita lang namin is doon dadaan sa Town Plaza. Nagulat na ang kami na sa amin na pala dadaan and we’re never consulted,” he added.
On February 21, a committee hearing will be made with the DOTr, homeowners and other concerned groups to discuss the realignment plan for the MRP-TDD.