By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THERE’S another conundrum in Bacolod City. This time, it’s all about the reclamation-slash-housing project.
Barangay Banago’s 32,000 residents are in “quandary”. They don’t know what really the plans are of the city government in their village.
Will it be reclamation or housing project or both?
If both or any of the two will push through, what’ll be their fate? Will they be staying in the same village or be relocated somewhere else?
Whatever it is, village chief Ricky Mijares is vexed. The groundwork has started, causing panic among clueless Banago inhabitants.
“Wala kami ginkonsulta. Wala kami namang-an. Wala man sang may ginpakita sa amon nga papel ukon permit kon ano gid bala ang tuyo nila nga ipatukod sa amon barangay,” Mijares said. “Talang espiritu namon!”
But he stressed, “Indi kami supak sa ano man nga plano sang ciudad basta pabal-on lang kami kag ipa-hangop sa amon kon ano ang plano nila sa pumuluyo.”
Thus, he disclosed, “Naghimo na kami sulat para kay Mayor Albee Benitez para i-klaro sa mayor kon ano gid bala ang tuyo para sa amon barangay.”
The mayor is yet to receive the letter.
‘HECHO’
But Atty. Dindo Ramos said the “hecho” (fact) is, Bacolod Reclamation Gateway Corporation (BRGC) is proposing to reclaim land in Banago around 248 hectares.
Dindo is currently acting as counsel for BRGC.
He, however, said prior to everything, they need to secure a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) from the City Council.
They requested it last week, but no progress yet.
Once granted, he said, they’ll start with all the legal and technical processes as required by laws.
Though, he confided: “Securing permits from different government agencies will be tedious and will take time.”
He’s referring to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), among others.
But prior to the RONO, he said, there must be public consultation to know the sentiment(s) of the people on the proposed project.
And Mijares retorted: “Wala gid!!”
“Bisan bukaron n’yo amon logbook. Wala gid rekord nga may public consultation nga natabo!”
Dindo, however, referred to Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairman of the Committee on Laws and Ordinances at the City Council, with regards to public consultations.
Al cannot be reached for comment.
CONFUSION
Dindo said the current ground works in Banago are for another project after it was granted with a Foreshore Lease Agreement (FLA). Though, he’s not privy on that “because I’m not the counsel assigned there.”
So, presumed by irate Banago residents this will be the area for the proposed housing project of the city.
Sought for comment, an official of DENR Region 6 (name withheld) said a housing project in an FLA area is a no-no.
For proper guidance, a proponent, the DENR exec advised, may refer to Section 4 {48} of the Republic Act No, 8550 or Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-24 (August 24, 2004).
But here’s the confusion. Mijares said a private team already conducted an initial survey in Banago as to the housing project. They asked residents how much they can afford to pay for a monthly housing amortization.
“Ang sabat sang mga tawo: P250 to P500 kada bulan,” Mijares bared.
How about P2,500 to P3,000 per month good for 25 years?
“Sabat sang tawo, indi sila ka sarang.”Mijares voiced.
So, another scheme was introduced.
Each of the affected family will be awarded lot (30 square meters as minimum). Then, it’s up for them to build their respective home.
But where will the city bring them (temporarily) in case the housing or reclamation pushes through?
Banago, Mijares said, has more than 8,000 households.
NO DISLOCATION
In a press conference on Aug. 11), Mayor Albee stressed no dislocation will happen.
He said they’ll stick to the “on-site, in city, near city concept”.
“We will simply upgrade the dwelling place(s) by putting appropriate facilities,” he said.
Well, if the mayor refers to the proposed reclamation as host for his housing project for the informal settlers in Bacolod, he might not realize his promise to build at least 5,000 units in a year within his first three years in office.
This, as Dindo said the permitting alone will take two to three years, and the actual reclamation works might last for another three to five years.
Too, it’s not ideal to put the 32,000 informal dwellers in a reclamation area, theorized by a respected businessman, adding, “It will not entice investments!”
Truly complicated!/PN
