Nazareth chair: DPWH will go with demolition

THERE'LL be no turning back.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will push through with the construction of the Barangay Hall of Nazareth at the lawn tennis courts anytime this week despite objections from the Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club (NLTC), Nazareth village chief Maximo Rodriguez III said on Wednesday, July 10.

Rodriguez said the barangay has already carried out its duty to take possession of the city-owned property within the barangay jurisdiction and it is now the DPWH's time to implement the national government-funded project.

He said the DPWH has already issued the contractor a notice to proceed with the P21 million multi-purpose building construction after all pertinent documents have been completed and complied.

Rodriguez said a tarpaulin containing the description and outline of the project was installed while construction materials were already delivered in the area.

"Dili NLTC ang i-demolish dili pud kami sa barangay ang mag-demolish ang DPWH. Kani dili pondo sa barangay kun dili pondo sa National Government," Rodriguez said in response to the statement of city administrator Teddy Sabuga-a.

Sabuga-a earlier said it is illegal for the barangay to demolish the sports facilities without authorization from the city government. He said the barangay also did not secure a permit from the Office of the Building Official (OBO).

But, Rodriguez said the DPWH told the barangay officials that the move to take over the property does not need the permission or approval of the city government.

"Ingon ang DPWH sa barangay nga dili kinahanglan mananghid sa city bisan sila ang tag-iya but within the barangay jurisdiction. Dili kinahanglan mananghid, ang amo tagaan sila og notice nga naay construction mahitabo," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said they sent a notice to the Office of the City Mayor, Office of the Vice-Mayor, Office of the City Administrator, City Legal Office and OBO that they will serve the executive order on Friday.

He said city officials scheduled a dialogue between the barangay and NLTC on Monday, to settle the dispute but as of Wednesday noon, he has yet to receive communication from the City Government.

"Until now wala pa gihapon nag-coordinate ang city sa barangay and ang akong concern is naay time frame ang DPWH so kinahanglan mag start na,"Rodriguez said.

He said the City Government should now coordinate with the DPWH concerning the issue.

"Humana ang among duty na implement na ang EO to take possession and maintain peace and order so ang DPWH na ang istoryahon sa city kay sila ang implementing agency," he added.

Rodriguez also said Sabuga-a was seemed to be taking side with the NLTC, which, for him, should not be the case.

"Ingon ang city they should mediate. They should not take sides," Rodriguez said.

He's also hoping that the issue will not be politicized.

"I hope nga dili siya ma-politicize kay I know lahi mi og partido kay ingon si Mayor Moreno nga humana ang election magtrabaho nata. Karon Sir Teddy gatrabaho lang ko unta masabtan na nimo kay kami gamay nga barangay pero dili unta mang-bully sa barangay nga dili inyo," Rodriguez said.

"Ingon ka (Sabuga-a) nga the barangay must be cautious. Yes I am cautious and my actions are legal. Wala ko nagbuot-buot kay its a national government-funded project," he added.

Rodriguez said once the three-storey building is completed, all residents of the barangay can benefit with the services it can deliver.

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