AT LEAST 32 squatter families from Berdon St., Zone 3, Pulupandan whose houses were demolished recently got a temporary shelter from the Bacolod City government.
Governor Isidro P. Zayco said that Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia has granted his request to help these squatters billeted as a refuge using the city's Social Development Center.
Zayco said the Provincial Government, the office of Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey P. Ferrer and the Diocese of Bacolod are closely working on the possible purchase of a permanent area for these squatters somewhere in Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City.
The squatters, who met Zayco in a dialogue yesterday with regard their plight that they experienced with the present administration of incumbent Mayor Magdaleno Peña.
In the dialogue were Fr. Mao Buenafe, Parish Priest of San Antonio Abad Church, Fr. Ernie Lareda of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and Fr. Regner Dequiña.
During the dialogue, a protester suffered from a stroke and was immediately brought to the hospital for medication.
Zayco gave financial assistance to the patient for his immediate admission to the hospital.
Dr. Ernel Tumimbang of the Provincial Health Office declared the patient as incoherent when brought to the hospital. He is now at the Intensive Care Unit.
Earlier, the squatter-protesters went on "Via Crucis" from Pulupandan to San Sebastian Cathedral where a dialogue with Bishop Vicente Navarra was also held.
The protesters also demanded justice for the killing of former Mayor Luis Mondia who was gunned downed by unknown assailants last Feb. 17 outside Cathedral in Jaro, Iloilo City.