Informal settlers demolish their houses

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines   â€“ Informal settlers in Tanjay City on Wednesday voluntarily started demolishing their houses after the court sheriff served a writ of demolition for them to vacate the privately owned property within a week.

At least 62 homes and an estimated 250 families were covered by the ejection cases filed by Hilario Comcom, Sr. versus Mr. and Mrs. Emmie Banogon, et al, before the Municipal Trial Circuit Court (MTCC) of Tanjay.

Chief Insp. Teodorico Picardal, chief of the Tanjay City Police that assisted the serving of the writ of demolition, however has counted at least 82 houses in the area.  

During the serving of the writ of demolition by MTCC sheriff Leonardo Jimar, the informal settlers did not put up any resistance, but asked that they be allowed to demolish their houses themselves so that they can salvage materials that can be reused and to ensure their personal belongings will not be compromised during demolition.

A pre-demolition dialogue was held between the respondents and the sheriff and other local officials early Wednesday, which Picardal said had helped diffuse the tension among the illegal occupants.

Picardal, Jimar and City Legal Officer Arnel Vivar conducted the dialogue with Barangay Chairman Ismael Cornelio, of Barangay 7, who represented the affected 62 households.

At least five households requested for assistance from the city demolition team to help dismantle their houses as they did not have the means or manpower to do it, said the police official.

Tanjay City Mayor Lawrence Teves has offered to the affected families a relocation site at sitio Nabulagan in Barangay 6, although this will still be subject for a public hearing on Saturday.

The public hearing will also tackle concerns such as assistance from the city government through the city social welfare office and arrangements for the relocation, among others, Picardal said.  (FREEMAN)