THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has lifted the order that postponed all administrative demolition and eviction activities which was issued last year when the country was under the enhanced community quarantine status due to Covid-19 pandemic.
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| One of the resettlement areas in Zamboanga City. (Photo by Al Jacinto) |
The DILG furnished the local government with a copy of the Memorandum Circular No. 2021-031 lifting the demolition ban, virtually allowing the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) on the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) Project chaired by Mayor Beng Climaco to demolish illegal structures in resettlement areas.
Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, head of LIAC Secretariat, said with the DILG lifting all administrative demolition and eviction activities, the demolition of illegal structures at the Z3R housing projects can now proceed without legal impediments.
The LIAC said previously ordered the demolition of illegal structures at the stilt housing project in Barangay Mariki to pave the way for the installation of street poles and power lines in the area. It also passed a resolution recently requesting the Barangay Council of Mariki to facilitate the demolition.
Last month, Climaco approved several LIAC resolutions that will benefit poor families staying in resettlement areas.
One resolution authorized the National Housing Authority (NHA) to “download” some P23.18 million to the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and local government for selected projects for Z3R (Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Rehabilitation) beneficiaries in Azcuna and Talisayan resettlement projects.
And the NHA, through another resolution likewise instructed to turnover to the ZCWD the 1,800 water meters and the P6.5 million be downloaded to the utility firm as a form of subsidy for Z3R applicants for the re-installation of power lines.
A resolution was also approved allowing the NHA to utilize the remaining P5.4 million to fund for the embankment at the Vicente Chiong property.
Different government agencies and private contractors have committed to speed up works on the Z3R projects after Climaco has given an ultimatum until August 31 to finish the construction of housing units for some 720 families displaced by 2013 deadly attacks of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to Nur Misuari.
Climaco has repeatedly reminded LIAC members to expedite completion of the projects and the mayor even said that she plans to invite President Rodrigo Duterte for the inauguration of the government projects.
In her previous meeting, Climaco instructed LIAC members to ensure the remaining 720 families now living in temporary shelters to resettle in their permanent housing units.
“As mayor and chairperson of LIAC, I have given the agencies concerned a deadline until August 2021 to finish the construction of the housing units and award them to the target beneficiaries - the internally displaced people,” she said, adding, “we want our IDPs to know that we have not forgotten them even as we are currently coping with the Covid pandemic,” said Climaco.
She said her directive was in line with Duterte’s instructions to all government agencies to have their projects, programs and activities completed before his term ends next year.
Last year, Climaco directed LIAC members to ensure continuity of various projects and programs amid the Covid-19 pandemic to help alleviate the plight of families displaced by the MNLF siege.
Supporters of Misuari attacked Zamboanga after declaring independence and their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall. Misuari publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga that displaced over 200,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods.
Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who perished in the siege that lasted for 3 weeks. Eight years after the deadly attack, residents here are still crying for justice which remains elusive for the innocent victims of the siege. (Zamboanga Post)
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