Bacolod seeks national help on fire-hit property

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government is seeking assistance from the national government to resolve property ownership issues in Barangay 27, where a recent fire left nearly 1,000 residents homeless.

In a press briefing Monday, Mayor Greg Gasataya said the 7,787-square-meter lot in question was once utilized by the Philippine Alien Property Administration in the 1950s.

He added that the land was under the Department of Justice but originally associated with the United States of America.

Gasataya said the agency involved had already been dissolved and that a land title shows the property is now under the Republic of the Philippines.

“This means it is owned by the national government,” he said.

Gasataya explained that they are requesting guidance from the national government on which agency the city should coordinate with regarding the matter.

He acknowledged the complexity of the issue, which currently prevents the barangay and displaced residents from returning to the area for safety reasons.

“This is not for anything else, but to protect them from fire hazards while we are still assessing the situation,” he said.

He clarified that reports claiming he barred residents from returning are false and contribute to victims’ distress.

“I did not say they could not return. Please don’t add up to the stress and trauma of the fire victims,” he said.

Gasataya emphasized the need to meet with barangay officials and residents to gather their sentiments and further discuss the issue.

“We will do everything we can to ensure that this property which is owned by the government will be donated to the city of Bacolod,” he said.

He added that resolving the land ownership is a crucial step, and they are expediting the necessary documentation to reach a decision.

“Hopefully, if this will push through, they will no longer be informal settlers, but owners of the property that will undergo a process under the Bacolod Housing Authority,” he said.

The mayor said displaced residents are temporarily housed in classrooms at Mabini Elementary School, which is serving as an evacuation center.

He said the city has been receiving overwhelming support to help the fire victims.

Elementary students at the school have shifted to modular learning while their classrooms are being used as temporary shelters.

Fire victims will receive financial assistance: those with totally damaged homes will get PHP 15,000 each, partially damaged homes PHP 10,000 each, and renters or sharers PHP 5,000 each.

A total of 289 families or 993 individuals were affected by the midnight fire on Sept. 12, which caused PHP 4.5 million in damage.

City fire marshal Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip said the fire started in a couple’s rented house and was caused by an electrical ignition due to arcing.