THE Barangay 18 chief in Bacolod City has asked the assistance of Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya for the construction of their new barangay hall.
Barangay 18 chief Madeline Diaz said Gasataya already assured her that he’s willing to fund for the construction of their barangay hall, but they need to find a lot for the new building.
She said their barangay hall, which is made of meat van, was occupying a portion of a road. They were obliged to move it in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to rid public streets of obstructions to facilitate the orderly use of thoroughfares.
On August 1, Mayor Evelio Leonardia held a meeting with the barangay officials for the compliance of the directive of President Duterte at the Bacolod Government Center.
“After our meeting, we started the demolition of illegal structures in our barangay including my sari-sari store that was occupying a portion of a road. I also held a meeting with my constituents to voluntarily demolish their illegal structures,” Diaz said.
She said they already identified a new lot for the construction of their new barangay hall that will start in January next year.
“We’re thankful to Congressman Gasataya for helping us to build a new barangay hall,’ she added.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier said the city government will also find a way to help the barangays whose barangay halls were demolished in compliance with the directive of President Duterte.
Leonardia said they will assess the situation on how they could help the barangays such as Barangays 8 and 28.
He said they will check if they can find a city government owned lot for the construction of the barangay hall of the affected barangays.
“We will find a way, if there’s someone there who wants to donate a lot for the barangay, we also welcome it. In spite of the demolition, our barangay officials can still function with their works, we will deal on this matter on a case-to-case basis,” he added.
The demolition of the illegal structures is in pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121 dated July 29, 2019 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directing the local government officials, from the mayors down to barangay captains, to implement the clearing of roads.
In DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121 it stated that within 60 calendar days, significant results must be achieved, documented, and reported together with the efforts of the local government units to sustain the same. (MAP)