BACOLOD City – Councilor El Cid Familiaran saw another problem if the city government will rush the sale of its property at the Reclamation Area in Barangay 12. Aside from the displacement of Manokan Country tenants, the city government may also face difficulties in relocating about 130 informal settlers. The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on urban poor, housing and resettlement chairman said the city’s relocation site at the Arao property in Barangay Vista Alegre should be prepared before the city agrees to the offer of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. to buy the 17,783-square meter property currently being occupied by informal settlers, Manokan Country and the People’s Market. Some areas at the relocation site do not have water and power connections. The lack of these basic amenities is the reason why some informal settlers refused to live there, said Familiaran. Of about 800 residential lots available at the relocation site, only 100 are being occupied, he said. Citing the Urban Housing Development Act, Familiaran stressed that relocated residents should be provided with their basic needs. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. submitted a proposal to Mayor Monico Puentevella offering to buy the lot for P20,500 per square meter. It intends to build a shopping complex with transport terminal, a hotel and an “improved” Manokan country. The site being eyed by the property developer is located across the north wing of the SM City Bacolod. The proposal, however, is being opposed by tenants of Manokan Country and the Diocese of Bacolod. Familiaran’s committee, along with the SP committee on laws, ordinances and good governance under Councilor Ana Marie Palermo, committee on assets under Councilor Caesar Distrito, and committee on transportation under Councilor Alex Paglumotan, led a joint committee hearing yesterday regarding the property’s proposes sale. The four committees are expected to conduct more public hearings./PN By MAE SINGUAY
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