520 families from squatter areas face eviction for relocation to Tulungatung

520 families from squatter areas face

eviction for relocation to Tulungatung

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) –  The Housing and Land Management Division (HLMD) of the City Mayor’s Office is expected to evict from different squatter areas at least 520 families and relocate them to the city’s Resettlement Project in Barangay Tulungatung, west of this city.

The decision was reached during an inter-agency meeting in City Hall Tuesday morning during which HLMD Chief Rodrigo Pagotaisidro explained that a 15-day grace period will be issued within which the affected families are given the opportunity to voluntarily vacate their homes and resettle in Tulungatung or else face a demolition.

Pagotaisidro also said prior to actual demolition a social intervention will be conducted among the affected families wherein they will be gathered altogether in one venue to properly inform them about their impending demolition, relocation site and other services due them.

In the meantime, Pagotaisidro led yesterday afternoon an inspection of the relocation site in Tulungatung to make sure that water and electricity connections are in place before the affected families will be transferred thereat. 

Up for demolition are those houses illegally built at CCC Villa Hermosa Housing Project (Phase 1) in Luyahan, Pasonanca; Marine Barracks Arturo Asuncion in Cabatangan; Azcuna Resettlement Project in Mercedes, Tulungatung Project, Zamboanga International Airport in Baliwasan, San Jose Gusu Urban Poor Association and the Jury Posadas Urban Poor Association in Talon-Talon.

It was noted that there are about 35 houses to be demolished inside the airport are they are believed to pose danger to the aircrafts flying in and out of the city.

To recall, about two weeks ago the HLMD was set to demolish at least 14 illegally-built houses on the 24-hecatre lot reserved for the Philippine Marine Corps in Barangay Cabatangan, this city. But it was called off due to inclement weather and other considerations.

The decision to demolish came after a request cum complaint by Lt. Col. Jerry T. Bauzon, flag officer in command, Philippine Marine Corps, whose troops occupy the Marine Barracks Arturo Asuncion (MBAA) complex in Cabatangan.

The property belongs to the national government through the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but it was entrusted to the MBAA through a Special Power of Attorney entered into by ARMM Gov. Mujiv S. Hataman and Col.  Bauzon in August 2014.

Under the said legal instrument the MBAA was authorized to administer the property by restricting squatters and informal settlers from escalating, regulate the movement of informal settlers and police the entire complex.

Since the property belongs to the national government and with the authority from ARMM for MBAA to administer the same, Pagotaisidro said the demolition has to be carried out without fear of any legal impediments, especially now that all concerns of the affected families have already been addressed. -(Vic Larato) (101014)