The informal settlers occupying a road lot at 15 th Street, Barangay 7, Bacolod City, failed to show up at the Bacolod City Government Center yesterday for a scheduled dialog, Bacolod City Legal Office- Composite Enforcement Unit team leader, Cesar Beloria said yesterday.

Beloria said they deferred the implementation of the demolition of illegal structures in Brgy. 7 Monday because the affected residents agreed to have a dialog on the matter, and not because of Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr.

Golez had claimed that when the enforcement team knew that he was coming, they apparently backed off. He said they backed off because they knew that they were on the wrong footing.

Beloria said his statement is unbecoming and only shows that he is not fit to be respected as a congressman.

Beloria said he received information that Golez was already in the area when they were still around, and that he only showed up when they were about to leave the place.

“Is he trying to prove that he is their savior?” He asked.

Beloria clarified that he is not afraid of Golez. Maybe it is the other way around since Golez was already in the area when they were still there and did not show up then, he said.

Golez said that the City Government of Bacolod should follow the rule of law in the implementation of the demolition of houses especially in Barangay 7.

Beloria said the rule of law is to maintain peace and order and to educate the people to respect the law.

Golez said he went to the area because some barangay officials and residents asked his help when the Composite Enforcement Team scheduled to demolish their houses Monday.

They cannot enforce the demolition because there is no court order, he said.

The Regional Trial Court had denied for lack of valid reasons, the writ of preliminary injunction sought by the residents of Brgy. 7 seeking , to prevent the city government from demolishing their structures.

Out of the 26 illegal occupants of 15 th Street in Brgy. 7, only nine filed the case against the city, while the 17 others indicated their intention to process their relocation through their newly reactivated Urban Poor Purok Magnolia Chapter Inc. socialized housing, or through relocation site applications, with the Bacolod Housing Authority for their accommodation at the Arao relocation site in Brgy. Vista Alegre.

Beloria said the campaign period is already on and Golez has even admitted that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the city, so he believes that the solon just wants to make an impression.

Meanwhile, Beloria also said they waited for the affected families to show up until noontime yesterday for a dialog but they never came. Perhaps it is because they have already found their savior, he said.

However he added, they will go ahead with the demolition after they have all the needed preparation.*CGS

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