BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Over a hundred squatter families in Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao district face eviction.
Their houses will be demolished starting today on the strength of a court order, said Barangay Captain Nenita Juson of Bolilao.
She counted a total of 115 families to be displaced.
The land that the squatters have been occupying for decades belongs to the Uy family, said Juson.
It is near the warehouse of a giant mall in an area where many new businesses have been sprouting in recent years.
Today, an initial 20 houses will be demolished, Juson said over radio station DyOK Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo yesterday.
“The families have already expressed willingness to vacate the area provided they are given relocation,” said Juson.
Indeed, said Juson, the city government already has a relocation area for them – in Barangay Sambag, Jaro district.
The city government bought the land – an estimated one hectare – on Sept. 10.
It will be subdivided among the relocatees or some 56 square meters for each family.
However, said Juson, the area is not yet developed.
Of foremost concern to the families are the water supply, service roads and communal toilet.
“Kon tani indi lang nila pag-gulpihon ang mga tawo (The families should not be rushed into leaving their present houses),” said Juson./PN
