Mayor Agustin Perdices has ordered the City Legal Office to look into reports that unauthorized families have occupied housing units in Barangay Cadawinonan, Dumaguete City, reserved for residents of Barangay Looc.

The Philippine Ports Authority, in cooperation with the city government, financed the construction of more than 200 housing units in Barangay Cadawinonan intended for the residents of Looc, whom they considered as squatters, several years ago. The PPA plans to develop the area for its operation.

While some families availed of the offer of the PPA and city government, more than 40 units have remained unoccupied. It was found out later that unauthorized families or individuals had taken possession of the units.

The city, though, decided to allow some 22 families to continue occupying the houses on a temporary basis.

Perdices said these families and the city have agreed that should the other residents of Looc decide to eventually occupy the units intended for them, the temporary occupants should vacate the place.

However, latest report showed some of these temporary occupants have not vacated the place.

Perdices said those without authority should vacate, because the city will have these units occupied by the victims of the recent Canday-ong fire.

Last week, some 43 houses, in Sitio Canday-ong, Calindagan, went up in smoke following a fire that broke out in a densely populated area.*RA

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