Various urban poor groups in Bacolod City appeared before the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday urging the city officials to provide them a relocation site, especially those facing ejectment.

Vertita Ante, secretary general of the Alyansa sang mga Imol nga Taga Cuidad, said there are many squatter families facing demolition cases before December.

Houses had been demolished since last year but until now the families have not been provided a relocation site since the lots are being reserved for certain favored squatters, she claimed.

She also said there are more than 1,500 informal settlers living in 17 different areas in the city that are facing ejection.

Ante said that they are requesting the city to provide an immediate relocation site for the informal settlers, either through a loan or from the annual budget.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap deputy secretary Marlyn Prajes said the city should provide funds for onsite development projects, and that before the city secures a relocation site, they should be provided means of livelihood.

Bacolod Housing Authority head Josephine Segundino said the landowners of a property in Mandalagan offered the informal settlers occupying their property P1 million, but only 38 applied, while about 72 others opted to transfer to Felisa.

If they had accepted the P1 million offer and divided it among themselves, they would have an excess of P13,000 each to build their houses, she said.

THEY DID NOT APPLY

“We do not have any favored squatter applicant for the relocation site since the processing of the application is based on a first come-first served basis, Segundino said, However, they did not apply at all, she said, adding that the relocation is voluntary.

Segundino said that, in the case of Brgy. 17, the informal settlers were aware as early as 1987 that there will be a demolition. But the problem is that some would only apply for a relocation site with her office a day before the implementation of the demolition, she said.

On the other hand, the Katilingban Sang Mga Imol kag Squatter sa Bacolod is requesting the four political groups who are running for mayor, congressman, and councilor not to use the issue of the urban poor during elections.

KISBA spokesperson Diego Malacad, in a press statement, said that since 2008 there were already 45,000 squatters in Bacolod , and 4,000 of them live in danger zones and more than 2,000 are facing demolition within this year.

He claimed that pursuant to R.A. 7279, City Ordinance 53 and C.O. 266, the local government is mandated to look for a relocation site.

AUDIENCE WITH MAYOR

Meanwhile, the SP declared a recess so Councilors Dindo Ramos and Roberto Rojas could accompany the urban poor groups to seek an audience with Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Leonardia listened to their problems and explained to them that it has been his administration's primary concern, ever since he became mayor, to provide a developed relocation site for the city's informal settlers.

He said the city government understands their predicament and that is why his administration is pushing for the purchase of a new relocation site.

Leonardia said that, considering that the Vista Alegre-Granada (Abada-Escay) relocation site could not longer accommodate that much number of informal settlers, a new site has to be developed so the city could accommodate them.

He explained the need to borrow money to be used for lot purchase and site development of the relocation site.

He also stressed that the city's budget could not cover the purchase, and the city wants the new relocation site developed and complete with facilities before the constituents move in.

Councilor Al Victor Espino said they are not giving up on this project since he knows there is a solution to it.

Surveys had been conducted which reveal that there are 40,000 informal settlers in the city.

PNB LOAN BLOCKED

Leonardia told the group that Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella himself admitted before the media that he was responsible for blocking the Philippine National Bank loan.

He also assured the group that he, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and the councilors are doing everything they can to pursue the relocation site, but he cannot divulge it yet as their move might be sabotaged again by the solon.*CGS

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