The residents of Purok Masinulundon, Punta-Taytay, Bacolod City yesterday filed a manifestation before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities asking the court to issue an order deferring the implementation of the writ of demolition until the relocation site is ready for occupation.

Berlita Ante, of the Kaisahan-Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahirap, yesterday said the 15-day extension given the residents will end today or tomorrow, so they filed the manifestation since the relocation area where they will be transferred is not yet ready.

She said the manifestation, that was prepared by Councilor Dindo Ramos, was received yesterday by the legal counsel of Domingo Pahila, the owner of the property.

Ante said the 4,000 square meter relocation site in nearby Purok Mahigugmaon owned by the Villarosa family is swampy because it used to be a fishpond.

She said the 53 affected families are willing to transfer but need more time to prepare the area.

The Bacolod City government negotiated for the purchase of a lot owned by Victor Villarosa Sr., who agreed to sell a portion of his property involving about 4,000 square meters at P300 per square meter for the relocation site of the affected residents.

Ante said the residents will pay the city P150 a month for the property for 10 years.

In their manifestation, the residents said they are willing to backfill the area at their expense but need ample time to make the place habitable. They also assured the court that, immediately after the relocation side is ready for occupation, they will voluntarily remove and transfer their structures to their assigned sub-lots to be prepared by the Bacolod Housing Authority.

Ante said the 4,000 square meter property will still be surveyed and subdivided among the 53 families. The affected residents are staying in temporary shelters, she said.

According to Ramos, chairman of the Sanggunian Committee on Urban Poor, Housing and Resettlement, the affected residents will receive P2,000 in financial assistance from the city so they could buy materials to build their houses, Ante said.*CGS

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