More landowners lodged claims for compensation of property in southern Negros Occidental used by the Department of Public Works and Highways, before DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis yesterday.

Their claims come on the heels of that of landowner Joaquin Bilbao who began charging toll fees to vehicles passing the highway through his family's property in Barangay Pook, Hinobaan, in protest against the DPWH's failure to pay for it.

Ivan Solidum, lawyer of Bilbao, in a letter to Asis yesterday, said there is no more room for a negotiated sale of his family property that passes through Barangay Pook, Hinobaan since the issue has already reached the court and under the circumstance, the best alternative for the DPWH to initiate expropriation proceedings.

Solidum, in two separate letters to Asis, also informed him that Isabel Trompeta, and the Vasquez and Evangelista family are also formally filing claims for just compensation for the portions of their properties that the DPWH expropriated without notice or permission from his clients.

He asked Asis to reply within five days from receipt of their letters otherwise he will be forced to take drastic action to protect the interest of the owners of the land.

Trompeta is the registered owner of property where a portion of the Cauayan to Sipalay highway passes through, he said.

In as much as the highway passing through the Trompeta property has already been asphalted or concreted it is our contention that expropriation proceedings be initiated since she has been deprived of the property without due process, Solidum said.

The Vasquez and Evangelista family are filing claims for their property where the road traversing Barangay San Rafael, Hinobaan, passes through, Solidum said.

"This road had already been asphalted or cemented and your office is aware that this is private property but nobody ever negotiated for the sale or donation of this property," Solidum told Asis.*CPG

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