• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A resident whose home was among those demolished in Barangay Bata is reportedly preparing to file a case against the Bacolod City Government.
According to ‘Djoahnna’, a resident of Purok Riverside, the City Legal Office (CLO) ordered the clearing operations of properties that are 3 meters away from the creek, however, her house was included even though it is more than 3 meters away.
She said that her husband’s family had been staying in the property for more than 30 years, but no one has reprimanded them, as they operate a business.
“I feel like there is no due process on us and if ever they demolished the whole structure they should give us relocation,” Djoahnna said.
Meanwhile, CLO head Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu said that they are continuing the efforts to clear creeks and obstructions.
“They have to understand that their structure, surveyed by the city engineer, is determined to be in the creek, so we’re clearing that as it adds up to the blockage of the creek and its flooding in Bata,” Chiu said in an interview.
He explained that the complainant is doing business in the area, and that the trash is just there, citing that it is not allowed.
Chiu added that they have to proceed with the process as there have been notices and requests to clear the complainant’s property and it has been evaluated by the local housing board since 2016.*
