Two
demolition teams tasked by the city government started its demolition of 53 shanties
near the Integrated Bus Terminal last Monday.
As
of presstime, around ten houses have already been demolished while some were voluntarily
torn-down by the illegal settlers.
| DEMOLITION
TEAMS of the City Government tear down 53 illegal dwellings near the Integrated
Bus Terminal in barangay Dampas, this city, while police and barangay officials
look on. These houses occupy lots partly owned by the city government which will
be traversed by the Road Network Scheme that will be constructed before the year
ends.
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Mayor
Dan Lim who ordered the demolition said, they are adopting a lenient approach
in the course of the demolition to avoid any violent confrontations with the demolition
teams and the squatters.
In
an interview with the Chronicle, the squatters are requesting a dialogue with
Lim and Rep. Edgar Chatto to ask for a relocation site and financial assistance.
Most of them have no place where they could relocate.
City
Planning and Development Coordinator Ed Macalandag told the Chronicle that the
city government have given the illegal settlers enough time to abandon their dwellings
which are erected in lots partly owned by the city government in barangay Dampas,
this city.
The
illegal settlers, however, have repeatedly ignored city hall's efforts after Mayor
Lim issued an ultimatum and a Notice of Summary Eviction to make them vacate their
dwellings.
The
occupied lots will be traversed by the expansive road network scheme in the new
growth area within barangays Dao, Dampas, San Isidro and Bool.
The
demolition is being carried out as the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor
(PCUP) issued a Certificate of Compliance on Demolition for the city government
to proceed with the eviction of the illegal settlers.
Lim
met with the committee on anti-squatting two weeks ago to issue a Notice of Demolition
and created a demolition team led by Engr. Gil Glovasa of the City Planning and
Development Office (CPDO).
The
demolition is being done in the presence of city PNP, Dampas barangay officials,
DILG and members of the anti-squatting team. The city government has to complete
the demolition not later than August 27 as prescribed in the 30-day effectivity
of the certificate of compliance on demolition that was issued last July 28.
The
city anti-squatting committee is headed by the city mayor and CPDO Eduardo Macalandag,
city police chief P/CInsp. Jacinto Cesar, Segundina Abrea of the Tagbilaran urban
poor association, Jose Pamaong of the PCUP, Fr. Ernesto Lagura of Holy Name University,
Fr. Efren Bongay and Fortunato Cero of the Tagbilaran Diocese Social Action Center
and city legal officer Atty. Doni Piquero. | 
