In Talisay, Residents in sitio oppose housing plan

CEBU, Philippines - Some residents in sitio Rattan, barangay Tangke are opposed to the Talisay City government’s plan to put up a housing project on a piece of land which they say belongs to them.The city government, through the local housing office, yesterday morning surveyed the area. 

Nida Bacalso, 58, and Darwin Gabisa, 20, only showed to the surveyor a map containing the property bearing the Lot No. 660, which they reportedly bought from a certain lawyer Marcelo Bacalso, who now resides in the United States. 

At least 20 residents reside in the sitio.  

“Dili mi motugot sa ipahigayon nga survey sa siyudad o pagsukod sa among mga luna nga among gipuy-an tungod kay amoa man kining luna,” they said.

Bacalso and Gabisa have already filed a formal complaint in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Douglas Marigomen of Branch 5.

The occupants, however, admitted that they don’t have with them a title that will prove that they already own the lot except for a map. 

However, Resurection Dilema, 78, said she is not against any survey of the area because she does not have any proof the property belongs to her. 

In a separate interview, local housing chief Mayet Abarquez said the city government bought the property in 1998 from Bacalso, which is now in the name of the city government. 

Abarquez said the city plans to widen the roads to make it easier for vehicles to go in and out of the area during emergency cases.

“Buot lang ang siyudad nga mahan-ay ang pagkahimutang sa mga balay diha sa lugar ug walay plano ang siyudad nga papahawaon sila,” Abarquez said. - THE FREEMAN