• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A peaceful atmosphere prevailed as the Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) implemented the demolition of 37 houses in Purok Balinday, Barangay 2, yesterday.
Unlike many forced evictions, the operation saw residents voluntarily dismantling their own structures and clearing their belongings in cooperation with the Bacolod Housing Authority, City Engineer’s Office, and Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department.
The CLO had previously issued notices to vacate as early as November 2025, citing that the structures obstructed the natural flow of water and served as a major contributor to citywide flooding.
“If you notice there’s no presence of police because we are expecting no resistance,” CLO head Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu said.
Barangay 2 Chief Imelda Banguanga said that of the 37 affected structures, 27 were built on government property while 10 stood on private lots.
Despite the difference in land ownership, all the homes were situated dangerously close to or directly over a creek, identified as a high risk area.
In a media interview, Banguanga reported that 20 families have successfully secured relocation slots at the Arao site in Progreso Village, Barangay Vista Alegre.
However, 10 families did not qualify for the program due to reasons such as failing to meet the six-year residency requirement, failing to file an application, or having previously availed of government housing assistance.
While the demolition is ongoing, a simultaneous payout of financial assistance worth P10,000 per affected residence was distributed by the Department of Social Services and Development.
Meanwhile, Mayor Greg Gasataya said that the demolition followed the right process.
He added that there are still a lot of areas identified as danger zones in the city.*
