Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Monday, Dec. 11, that the notice for informal settlers to vacate the Manokan Country property in Barangay 12, which was leased by the Bacolod City government to SM Prime Holdings, on January 8 is not final.
The notice to vacate is a normal process being implemented by the City Legal Office to comply with due process for SM’s implementation of the project, he said.
“That is not the actual date we are contemplating for them to vacate. We are still trying to get SM to give a little more extension,” he said.
About 50 informal settlers were issued notices to vacate.
Some of the informal settlers were disqualified from availing of property at the city government’s relocation sites because they were previously awarded lots but returned to Barangay 12, he said.
“The question is what did they do with the property awarded to them, they should return to the area awarded to them”, Benitez said.
The city government is also discussing with SM possible financial assistance for the informal settlers up for relocation, he added.*