Luminos: Informal settlers are entitled to vacant homes
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Around 1,349 Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) members attempted to occupy government housing units intended for active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) at Purok Guanzon, J.J. Gonzaga in Barangay Felisa, Bacolod City yesterday morning.
Starting around 8:00 a.m., informal settlers camped out in front of houses in the residential project, which is comprised of 1,498 homes across a 10-hectare area of land.
Kadamay-Negros Occidental Secretary-General Ereneo Luminos cited Joint Resolution No. 2, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last May, claiming informal settlers are entitled to unoccupied units constructed by the National Housing Authority (NHA).
In response, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) dispatched personnel to the area, with Kadamay members accusing police officers of using intimidation tactics.
Police deny the allegations.
NHA officials, along with BCPO deputy director, Police Superintendent Leonardo Borromeo, later arrived on the scene to conduct a negotiation with the gathered informal settlers.
While representatives from the government agency presented documentation signed by Project Manager Alejandro Ongsuco showing Kadamay had earlier requested to occupy the said homes, it was also pointed out the units were already awarded and were awaiting the installation of basic utilities.
Kadamay had earlier submitted a letter requesting the Bacolod City NHA office to facilitate a meeting between the group, AFP, and PNP, which has since been forwarded to Colonel Leonido Yanson of the AFP Housing Board and Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) deputy administration director, Police Chief Superintendent Carlito Feliciano.
The PRO-6 official sent a reply back on August 23 agreeing to the meeting, while Yanson has yet to respond.
Kadamay leaders have since instructed their group to continue camping out. The group also affirmed they would not leave until the matter is resolved.
BCPO, meanwhile, has stepped up security, deploying additional officers with riot gear to the area./DGB, WDJ
