Barangay Captain Roel Cordova of Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City , yesterday said the Department of Public Works and Highways has not coordinated with his barangay on the relocation of the 42 residents of Purok Riverside to be affected by the widening of the Banago Creek.

Cordova said he was furnished only yesterday a list of the names of those due for ejectment after he requested to be updated on it. The DPWH is preparing for the construction of a retaining wall in Purok Riverside, he added.

Meanwhile, Cordova also said the number of structures up for demolition in Purok Mahimulaton in Brgy. Banago has increased from 34 to 49. Out of the 34 issued notices to vacate by the city, 14 chose to be relocated to the Kimara Association, 12 to the Vista Alegre-Granada (Abada-Escay) relocation site and majority to the seawall or “boulevard” in Banago, he said.

Cordova said Mayor Evelio Leonardia is willing to provide financial assistance to the additional families up for ejectment in Mahimulaton. He said those who have received their financial assistance from the city amounting to P3,000 per family, have voluntarily dismantled their structures.

He said the number of families who want to be relocated has increased because they agree with the assistance provided by the city and because of the diplomatic manner which the city dealt with them.

Cordova said the Barangay Council of Banago passed a resolution declaring a state of imminent danger of calamity for the release of P50,000 for additional food and cash assistance to the affected families. He said the barangay is also planning to prepare an area where residents facing future ejectment can be accommodated.

The old Pala-pala in Banago is presently used as a temporary shelter by the residents of Purok Mahimulaton while their relocation site is still being prepared, Cordova said.

Sally Abelarde, head of the Bacolod Social Services and Development, said that, upon instruction of the Mayor, they conducted an ocular survey of the expected beneficiaries. After a dialog and de-briefing they conducted, the affected residents decided that they want to transfer to an area where they and their family will be safe.

Abelarde said that while the demolition is ongoing, the city has provided them with rice and canned goods. She said they are happy that the demolition was peaceful since the Mayor has instructed that maximum tolerance be observed. She said the city is also willing to assist the affected residents of Purok Riverside after they made an assessment.*CGS

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