BY MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – The City Legal Office (CLO) has given the informal settlers at the Vendor’s Plaza in Reclamation Area, Barangay 12, to vacate the area until today, April 2.
Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said he had already directed the CLO’s enforcement team to inform the occupants, adding that several notices had been served multiple times prior.
SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI), the leasee of the 16,875-square-meter property, is currently fencing the area to kick off its development project.
If the informal settlers do not vacate the area, demolition will be carried out, the CLO head stressed.
Ting noted that they have been occupying the place without fees since the Vendor’s Plaza has been non-operational.
Settlers were also assured by the city of financial assistance in case they failed to qualify for a relocation grant.
Meanwhile, four houses near the development project site are set to be demolished soon in Barangay 10 due to the ongoing construction of the drainage system’s diversion channel.
The project is being carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Affected households will be receiving financial aid while the city offers them a relocation./PN
