BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – There is no truth to the rumors that the original owners of the land in Barangay Jolog, Estancia, Iloilo developed into a resettlement area for survivors of super typhoon “Yolanda” filed a complaint at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), said the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office (PARO).
No complaint has reached PARO, said Enrique Paredes, Iloilo’s agrarian reform officer.
Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) helped develop the resettlement area that also accommodated those from Sicogon Island who opted to give way to the tourism redevelopment of the island.
ALI has partnered with the Sicogon Development Corp. (SIDECO) for the island’s redevelopment.
According to the rumors, the original owners were complaining that they were not consulted about the mass housing project.
This upset the relocates, especially those from Sicogon Island.
DAR Iloilo Information Officer Yvonne Sinubin also belied the rumors.
She said it’s possible that the rumors were concocted by those trying to sabotage the revival of Sicogon Island as a premier ecotourism destination.
ALI built the housing units in Barangay Jolog. It initially turned over 150 out of the 350 housing units on June 11.
No less than Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Secretary Panfilo “Ping”Lacson led the turnover.
Almost 800 of the 1,200 families in Sicogon Island accepted the resettlement package offered by SIDECO and ALI.
The residents were given two options:
- P150,000 plus additional P30,000 each for sharer-family if there is; or
- house and lot (free housing units with livelihood located in Brgy. Jolog, Estancia town).
The number of families who declined the resettlement package was around 300, according to SIDECO vice president Dave Sarrosa.
SIDECO respects their right; the company will let the court decide on their fate, he stressed.
“… Eventually there will be evictions and when they get evicted, they will get nothing,” Sarrosa said.
Sarrosa, however, emphasized that their priority is the welfare of the island’s residents, especially those affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” November last year.
One of the most vocal critics of SIDECO and resident of the island also accepted the company’s offer.
The 52-year old Elsa Bulaqueña, known as the “crying lady” of the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (FESIFFA), called it quits.
“I want my life back. I want to move on. I want to forget the false promises and live in peace,” she said.
Bulaqueña once resided in Brgy. San Fernando, Sicogon Island.
In recent years, her cries for social justice became banner stories. The supposed harassment of her children by SIDECO security men even caught the attention of the social media.
She took the lead, either under the scorching heat or heavy rains, as her group marched along Iloilo streets chanting “land for the landless” and “social justice.”
But Bulaqueña had a falling out with FESIFFA leaders and left the group last week of May this year.
She accepted the resettlement package (cash option).
“I want a peaceful life. I don’t want to create trouble anymore. I don’t want to go back to the old days,” said Bulaqueña, who expressed interest to be a part of the women’s cooperative being organized by SIDECO and Ayala Land for livelihood trainings./PN
