By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Legal Office yesterday demolished an informal settlers’ community in the city’s Barangay 12. A relocation site had earlier been identified at Purok Arao, located in Barangay Vista Alegre, with some of the settlers already securing relocation papers.
According to Barangay Kagawad Jerry Agosto, 14 residents had their relocation confirmed, 29 are currently being processed, and another 14 are being temporarily sheltered at the local barangay hall.
Upon arrival, the demolition team was met with resistance from those without a confirmed relocation site. In an effort to quell tensions, Barangay 12 Captain Jay-R Alcantara asked members of the demolition team to assist the informal settlers with their valuables, while Agosto requested to have salvageable wood transported to the relocation site.
The barangay kagawad affirmed his opposition to the demolition and said he had earlier visited with city officials to delay the operation. He believes the demolition pushed through after recent reports surrounding the death of a minor after major flooding in the area./DGB, WDJ