City mulls additional relocation site for squatters
BACOLOD CITY -- Bacolod Housing Authority head Mrs. Josephine Segundino confirmed recently that the Landbanking Committee had already submitted a recommendation to Mayor Evelio Leonardia to acquire additional properties to be converted into relocation site.
The acquisition of additional lots was recommended because the Abada-Escay Property which the city acquired during the administration of former Mayor Luzviminda Valdez is already occupied and could no longer accommodate more squatters who have pending demolition order from the court.
Segundino said that the city government is being confronted by more than 1,000 squatters every year and the only relocation site available is the Abada-Escay Property situated in Brgy. Vista Alegre.
She mentioned that several landowners offered their land for sale which they included in the recommendation of the Landbanking Committee chaired by Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Dindo Ramos.
The possible relocation site mentioned by the Housing head were Barangay Cabug, Felisa, Taculing, Mansilingan and Brgy. Vista Alegre. She stressed that in Brgy. Vista Alegre, there is a huge property foreclosed by the bank and offered for sale to the city government.
The city government is confronted with the problem of squatters in Purok Santo-Domingo, Brgy. Banago where the barangay residents demand for relocation site.
Bacolod Housing Authority agreed to give three months extension for the squatters so that their relocation site could also be developed.
On the other hand, SP Member Ramos stressed that every year, the city appropriates more than P20 million for the acquisition of property for landbanking program.
He preferred to purchase the property adjacent to the Abada-Escay because the area is now developed and it is easy for the city to accommodate squatters because the amenities are already intact like the roads, streetlights and water system.
Ramos further said that his committee awaits the final approval from the local chief executive. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson confirmed the city decision to acquire a piece of land but he has no definite areas mentioned. Sayson said that once the city government provides a relocation site, it is not an obligation of the city government to give financial assistance especially if the squatters constructed their houses within a private property.