By ILOILO City – More than 200 households or around 1,200 individuals are set to be demolished by the road widening and eco-tourism projects of the city’s public works and highway department in Barangay Molo Boulevard, Molo district of this city.
According to the data gathered by comprehensive youth group Anakbayan Western Visayas, households that will be affected by the 1st phase are those in the area near the Molo Boulevard bridge going to the shoreline.
In a website post of Iloilo Metropolitan Times, Iloilo City District Engineer Rodney Gustilo said that the shores from Molo Boulevard up to Santo Niño Sur in Villa Arevalo district will serve as tourism spots and roads will be widen as well.
The road width will cover 20 meters after it was declared a national road in 2013. But Anakbayan added that a 40-meter no-dwell zone policy will also be implemented along the shores.
Anakbayan also said that members of the community have already signed previous documents stating there will be compensation of Php10,000 for affected households and a relocation in Barangay Lanit in Jaro district.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has iterated his “no demolition without proper relocation” policy but victims also clamor for proper livelihood assistance to compensate their displacement.
But thousands more will be affected by this grandiose project of the city come next year, said Anakbayan.
Engr. Gustilo added that they will be requesting from next year’s budget of Php50 million for the compensation and relocation of affected families.
According to Anakbayan, interviewees said City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog already promised them during last May’s elections that there will be no demolition under his term./PT
