Talisay knocks down houses in sitio Rattan

CEBU, Philippines - Houses of at least 20 residents in sitio Rattan, barangay Tanke were demolished yesterday by the Talisay City government in connection with the opening of a new access road and the implementation of a new plan for the area by the local housing office as approved by city hall. 

A demolition team arrived yesterday morning bringing with them a demolition order signed by Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez. 

Some residents who were opposed to the plan said the piece of land belongs to them.

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

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

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

But information officer Arturo Bas, in an interview with The Freeman, said the city government bought the 6,256 square meter property in 1998 from Bacalso, which is now in the name of the city government.

Bas said the residents cannot claim they were not informed about the demolition saying that the mayor had conducted a series of meetings startomg in June.

“Si Mayor Soc pa’y imoha, dili na siya basta-basta mopapahawa kung wala’y consultation nahitabo ngadto sa mga lumolupyo dihang dapita. They were properly informed,” Bas said. 

The city plans to widen the road to make it easier for vehicles to go in and out of the area during emergency cases, Bas said. 

“Kung dili ni nato buhaton, simba ko naay sunog mahitabo, asa man moagi unya ang mga bombero? Lisod kaayo agian dihang dapita kay wala gyud access road,” Bas said. 

Bas said the residents should not worry because they will not be totally displaced.

“They will be given a piece of property there, either 40 or 60-square meters. Ato lang gyud silang i-re-blocking kay ang uban diha, dili man angay,” he said.  (FREEMAN)