THE LONG overdue demolition within the Benguet-Ifugao-Bontoc-Apayao-Kalinga (BIBAK) property will finally push through next month.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the demolition was already pending and rescheduled several times since last year and the court ruling should be heeded.
“Naka-schedule na next month ang demolition. We hope the informal occupants will cooperate kasi matagal na yan na decision huwag na rin sana nilang hintayin yung scheduled date of demolition they should vacate the structure and they should voluntarily demolish the structures,” Domogan said.
The 5,000 square meter lot along Harrison road was awarded to BIBAK Dormitories Inc. to serve as housing of students coming from BIBAK areas in 1961.
Presently, there are 58 illegal structures in the area of which the occupants claimed they have been occupying since 1982 and are members of the marginalized sector.
Earlier this year, the Regional Trial Court junked the motion for reconsideration of 50 occupants as it lacks argument and insists the petitioners do not have the right of structure as they do not own the lot.
“No, yung mga occupants doon nakinabang na sila sa area matagal na panahon na. It has undergone the process. It was submitted to the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor, dinala din yan sa korte. The court has already decided, we have to follow the ruling,” Domogan explained.
Domogan added the health department noted the area to be unsanitary and the occupants does not have a proper disposal system which another reason to clear the area.
“Hindi madali ang magdemolish, mahirap pero anong magagawa natin trabaho lang ang ginagawa namin. The owners of the lot should also help and tell the informal settlers to vacate the area,” Domogan stated.
Domogan then appealed to the informal settlers to start taking down the structures and not wait for the demolition team to move in if they want to save some materials from their building.