Residents of Barangay Bajumpandan in Dumaguete City are asking the Sangguniang Panlungsod to ensure that they will not be disenfranchised in case a planned commercial subdivision is realized in the area.

More than 100 residents of Bajumpandan have already signed a petition seeking clarification on the proposed housing subdivision of Camella Homes, kagawad Juancho Gallarde, said.

The petition came up when what appeared to be ground stakes or markers with flaglets were seen, in what is believed to be the entrance of the subdivision covering eight to 10 hectares, Gallarde said.

Barangay officials and residents said initial information indicate that the proposed subdivision will cover part of Bajumpandan and the adjacent barangay of Cantil-e, he said, adding that the petition was signed by those who fear they will be affected by the project, unless they are guaranteed a road right of way.

Gallarde said the barangay council has not been informed of the proposed housing project and no representative from the developer has appeared before them.

The council is expected to pass a resolution with the petition attached and addressed to the SP to comment on the proposed housing project, Gallarde said.

City Administrator William Ablong said the city government has not received any application from the housing developers for the project, but assured that the city will ensure that due process is followed.

He said there has to be a public hearing at the barangay level, followed by a resolution reflecting the “social acceptability” of the development project. Another public hearing will also be conducted at the SP level, he added.

The developers must also consult the zoning office, under the City Planning and Development Office, to determine whether the area can be utilized as a subdivision, he said.

Ablong, who is also the City Agriculture officer, said Bajumpandan is basically an agricultural area that must be preserved as a “food producer” of the city.

Gallarde said they are not against development per se except that they want careful planning to ensure that Bajumpandan will not be flooded with housing sites with its residents losing their main source of livelihood through agriculture.

There are now nine low-cost housing projects in Bajumpandan, namely, Caritas 1 and 2, Habitat 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Core Shelter and Gawad Kalinga, Gallarde said.*JFP

back to top