BACOLOD City – The City Legal Office (CLO) yesterday started demolishing illegal structures to pave the way for a redevelopment project by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI).
SPHI leased the 16,875-square meter city government-owned property covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) Nos. T-55865 and T-55866 in barangays 10 and 12.
Levy Pangue, head of the City Enforcement Team (CET) of the CLO, said about 24 shanties were removed during the clearing operation.
The Manokan Country situated in Barangay 12 and affected by the project will soon be demolished, too.
The tenants are still gradually transferring to their temporary location at the Parking Hub of SM City North Wing, just across the Manokan Country.
Councilor Celia Flor, chairman of the City Council’s committee on markets, said the city government has committed to the SPHI to totally clear the redevelopment site from illegal structures, including the Manokan Country, by next week.
Meanwhile, the 22 informal settler families (ISFs) behind the Manokan Country in Barangay 12 were given until February 28 to vacate the area.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez granted the request of Barangay 12 captain Ely Alcantara Jr. to hold off the demolition for one month that was earlier schedule for January 28./PN
