Capitol Files Eviction Case Against Settlers

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The provincial government has filed an eviction case against around 112 informal settler families occupying a privately owned donated property in this city.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Thursday that the provincial government already served a second notice to the informal settlers.

“This is already the second notice. They refused to receive the first one,” Lacson said.

He added, “The law requires two attempts before filing an eviction case in court.”

The property in question is located in Barangay 39, Bacolod City.

Lacson explained the background of the case, noting that in 1954, the Lizares family donated the property to Negros Occidental National High School to establish a school garden.

However, he said, the land was used for other purposes, with several national and provincial government buildings constructed on it, which violated the donation agreement.

In 2012, the Lizares family filed a case seeking to cancel the donation.

Lacson noted that in 2021, during his administration, a court decision favored the Lizares family.

“We reached a compromise: existing national or provincial buildings could remain, while the rest would be returned to the Lizares family,” Lacson said.

He added that 1.1 hectares were retained by the provincial government, while approximately 7,000 square meters were returned to the Lizares family, under the condition it be free of informal settlers.

“That’s why we issued notices – to comply with the terms of our settlement with the Lizares family,” Lacson emphasized.

Regarding relocation for the informal settlers, Lacson said, “I’m not sure if we need to provide a relocation site; I’ll need to check on that.”

He acknowledged the process would be challenging.

While the provincial government coordinated with Bacolod City, Lacson said the city could not offer assistance.

“Eviction is feasible if we’re building something new. If informal settlers are on an old building, they can assist in removal, but these are existing structures. Additionally, this is not a designated danger zone,” he explained.

“This matter now rests between the Lizares family and the province,” Lacson concluded.