They're cropping up in the south.

More toll gates have been set up along the highway in southern Negros Occidental by two landowners demanding that the Department of Public Works and Highways pay them for the use of their land. Lawyer Ivan Solidum said Isabel Trompeta put up a toll gate along the highway in Sipalay that passes through her property and Jose Vasquez has done the same in Hinobaan starting Friday.

They are demanding payment from drivers of vehicles passing through the highway on their land.

Solidum said government has used the land of Trompeta and Vasquez for about 50 years but has not made any move to compensate them.

So far, four persons, including businessman Joaquin Bilbao in Hinobaan, have been demanding payment from the DPWH for the use of their land through which the highway to the south passes.

The DPWH has promised Bilbao that it will begin expropriation proceedings on his land in Barangay Pook, Hinobaan, so government can pay his family for their property that the highway passes through. Solidum said eight other landowners are also poised to file similar demands before the DPWH.*CPG

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