Urban poor cmte hears Solid Hills Movants relocation problem

THE Committee on Urban & Rural Poor and Housing Development, chaired by Councilor Edgar Cabanlas, is finding ways to resolve  the request of the Solid Hills 4354 Movants, former residents at Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag, to be given a relocation site after 591 families were displaced due to a demolition.

Appeal for Relocation

Raquel Ramonal, focal person of the displaced families, said most of them have temporarily rented houses while hoping approval of their appeal that portion of Lot 4318, a military reservation, be used for resettlement.

“Ang amo, matilawan unta namo ang balaod nga nag-ingon, “No demolition, if there is no relocation,” she shared.  

“We hope we get to enjoy what the law says, “No demolition if there is no relocation,” she shared.

Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo, Commander of the 4th ID, responded that assistance had already been offered during the demolition, including providing vehicles for those who voluntarily vacated their homes. However, he clarified that the military is not responsible for handling land-related matters, since it is administered by the Department of National Defense (DND).

Lot 4318 is classified as a military reservation pursuant to a presidential proclamation, and houses several existing military buildings and facilities, including the firing range, Cuerpo added.

Councilor Cabanlas acknowledged that the land dispute has persisted for over 20 years, even citing that the city council have sent several resolutions and requests to the president and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) but to no avail.

He also explained that there is no law mandating “no demolition without relocation”, adding that while the Duterte administration declared it, it was never enacted into law.

Klarexville 1: A Clear Solution

The representative from the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD), who was invited to the meeting, proposed that Klarexville 1, part of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program of the national government, as a possible relocation site., which can accommodate up to 2,000 families.

“Pwede sila mu-apply. Muhatag lang sila requirements. Pero pahibalo lang nga dili ni libre. Na ani bayad,” the CHUDD representative emphasized.

“They may apply, but they will need to submit requirements. It’s also important to note that there will be costs involved,” CHUDD emphasized.

Councilor Cabanlas bared that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the developer, Johndorf Ventures Corporation, is still being ironed out by CHUDD and the City Legal Office due to some technical and legal issues.

“[Sa pagkakaron] wala ma’y igong resources… at once para sa 500 kabuok. Pasalamat nalang ta, with the administration, naa tay housing [diha sa Klarexville 1]. Maghulat lang ta,” he concluded.

“[As of now] we have not enough resources… at once for the 500 families. We are grateful for the housing program of the administration [there at Klarexville]; we really just have to wait,” he concluded.