The owner of the land at Purok Katilingban in Barangay Punta Taytay, Bacolod City, where some residents are set to be evicted has expressed interest in selling his entire property to the city government for its on-site housing program for illegal settlers, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Thursday, December 15.
“We are now negotiating and discussing for a possible Yuhum Village or Yuhum residential site there”, Benitez said.
It was a tenant of a section of the property, not the owner, who had sought a demolition order against the eight residents, Benitez said.
The eight houses were up for demolition on Wednesday but following negotiations led by Benitez the affected families agreed to voluntary leave the area by January 28.
“They would like to be relocated on site or near site”, Benitez said.
Benitez said he told them to find a place where they can relocate by January and if need be the city will assist them.*