BACOLOD City — Twenty-seven owners of structures along Mambuloc Creek in Purok Balinday, Barangay 2, voluntarily dismantled their houses on January 15 following an order from the city government, as part of ongoing construction and repair works aimed at addressing flooding in the area.
The displaced families sought assistance from the City Enforcement Unit (CEU) of the City Legal Office (CLO) to facilitate the removal of their structures. The city government also offered relocation options to qualified affected families.
Records from the Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA) showed that only 20 of the 27 informal settler families (ISFs) qualified for relocation assistance, as some had previously availed of relocation programs while others were renters.
Meanwhile, the city government, through the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), provided financial assistance to help ease the families’ displacement.
DSSD records indicated that 37 families received P10,000 each in financial aid under a city-funded assistance program for households affected by the clearing operation.
The DSSD clarified that some of the demolished structures were occupied by multiple families, accounting for the higher number of beneficiaries.
DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said the structures were located only a few feet from the creek and had to be removed to improve water flow and reduce flooding, a recurring problem in the city during the rainy season.
She said the affected families, who had lived in the area for several years, were informed in advance of the planned demolition and were offered relocation options.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said a series of consultations and social preparation activities were conducted prior to the clearing operation, involving the CLO, BHA, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the DSSD, to ensure a coordinated and humane process.
Despite emotional concerns raised by some residents, city officials reported that the affected families cooperated throughout the operation and that no resistance or untoward incidents were recorded.
The DSSD also reported that social workers conducted intake interviews with all 37 affected families, most of whom were assessed as indigent.
Verdeprado-Mangga added that the households include elderly individuals, adults, and children considered vulnerable, particularly during flooding incidents.
She said the project is necessary not only to mitigate flooding but also to address safety risks associated with living near the creek, especially amid the ongoing dredging of the Banago River, which could cause water overflow during heavy rains./PN
