The Bacolod City Composite Enforcement Team led by Cesar Beloria was barred by residents and barangay officials of Brgy. 7 in Bacolod City from implementing the demolition order at 15th Street yesterday.

They were led by Barangay Captain Bernabe Sibug and Kagawad Richard Cordero who placed a barricade to prevent Beloria and the enforcement team from proceeding with the demolition at about 1 p.m. yesterday.

Beloria invited the affected residents to a dialog today at the Bacolod City Government Center to find a win-win solution

He said the residents do not need to put up a barricade to call their attention since they could bargain with the city.

“Let us observe the principle of cooperation so that we can address the problem squarely. It is difficult to help those who do not cooperate,” he said.

Beloria said some of the residents have already asked for a certain time to demolish their structures, and the city is willing to listen to them and come up with a decision that is feasible and acceptable to both parties.

The people should understand that they do not have security of tenure if they continue to stay in an area considered a road lot, he said.

A lawyer of the residents threatened to file charges against them if they pushed through with the demolition, but Beloria said they are willing and ready to face it.

Sibug said that out of the 26 families, there are some who already want their houses demolished. But they need more time to process their papers for their transfer to the relocation site, he said.

But the houses of the nine individuals who filed the case should not be demolished because the case has not yet been resolved by the court with finality, he added.

Cordova said the city should observe due process since there is no declaration from the Sangguniang Panlungsod that the subject of demolition is nuisance per se.*CGS

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