CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, on Monday, March 18, urged the City Government to intervene and fast-track the expropriation of properties in Bantiles, Barangay Bugo to create a new alternative highway.
In his special report, Nacaya lamented the refusal of the three families in the said area, to sell their properties to the National Government which caused a government project to be put on hold for a decade now.
The project would connect Puerto, Bugo and Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
“A decade ago, former councilor Juan Sia asked the city that the proposed road between Puerto, near Gaisano, should now be passable towards Bugo, and create an alternative highway between Puerto and Bugo to reduce traffic,” Nacaya said.
Nacaya said residents in Upper Bantiles, Bugo that their land is softening and could be susceptible to landslide.
Nacaya said there is no other way but to expropriate the property to proceed with the project.
“We should not delay public service just because of three or two families interest. For the longest time, this has been the clamor of people from Bugo and Puerto. An alternate highway for example, their tricycle, so they will no longer be using the main national highway,” he said.
“First, we intervene, because this is for public interest. Second, we call upon our legal office to readily endorse to us their recommendation,” Nacaya added.
City Engineer Rolando Pacuribot said the new project would help lessen accidents along the national highway, since motorcycles, bicycles, will have a road of their own.
Pacuribot said initially, all three families have opened their doors for negotiations with the City Government.
“They don't need to worry because they will be given just compensation,” he said.
Pacuribot said they are set to sit down with the involved parties and ask them to sign permit to enter their properties to officially start the construction.