Several homes in Ozamiz City demolished amid pandemic

Several houses in Purok Sais of Barangay Lam-an, Ozamiz City were demolished by local authorities to give way to a housing project aimed at helping informal settlers.

According to Nico Waje’s “Stand for Truth” report on Thursday, the demolition has forced many families outside their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents have argued that they own the titles to the land and have spent years and huge amounts of money to build their homes.

“Sayang bahay namin… kawawa naman ‘yung bahay namin at saka ‘yung lupa natin, binili na ‘yon,” Lei said.

“Paano ‘yung sinasabi ng presidente [na] ‘Stay at home’? Paano ‘yung bahay namin, ginigiba e... Paano kami?”

Seven houses have been demolished since demolition activities began in March.

Misamis Occidental 2nd District Representative Henry Oaminal said the local government obtained the right to the land through expropriation proceedings.

“There were a few small land owners that resisted in so far as the price of the property is concerned. But all others, other informal settlers, other land owners, pumayag naman,” he said.

“So ‘yung hindi pumayag, the local government… resulted to the judicial process that is to the expropriation proceedings,” he added.

The writ of possession was issued on April 20.

While the local government has vowed to pay for the houses and lots that will be demolished, some families stood their ground.

Among them was the Neri family, who fought for their rights to their home until they had no choice but to give up following attacks from the informal settlers who will benefit from the housing project.

“Nag-ano lang kami na mag-give up kasi mamamatay talaga kami kung ‘di kami mag-surrender kasi napakarahas po nila,” Catherine Neri lamented. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News