Clearing begins at Barangay 27 fire site

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Clearing operations began Friday morning at the site of the recent fire in Barangay 27.

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya said the move was made at the request of fire victims and the barangay council, led by Barangay Captain Freeman Madalag, to ensure the area is safe for residents.

In a recent dialogue with the mayor, nearly all survivors expressed their intention to return to their respective occupied areas to rebuild their homes.

Joining the operation were teams from the City Administrator’s Office, City Legal Office, City Engineer’s Office, and other city departments and agencies.

This is part of the continuing efforts to help Barangay 27 recover from the incident, Gasataya said.

A joint site inspection was also conducted with the City Engineering Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), PrimeWater, and Barangay 27 officials.

Earlier, the city government requested assistance from the national government to settle property ownership issues in Barangay 27, where a fire on Sept. 12 left 289 families—or 993 individuals—homeless.

Gasataya clarified in a press briefing earlier this week that the 7,787-square-meter lot where the fire occurred is owned by the national government.

Records show the land was once managed by the Philippine Alien Property Administration in the 1950s, later transferred to the Department of Justice, and was originally linked to the United States before eventually being titled under the Republic of the Philippines.

“Since the agency that previously handled the land has already been dissolved, we need guidance on which national office the city should coordinate with regarding the property,” Gasataya said.

He explained that the complexity of the land issue prevents residents from immediately returning to the site.

Safety is also a primary concern, as fire hazards remain in the area.

“This is not to stop them from coming back for any other reason. Our main concern is their safety while assessments are ongoing,” the mayor stressed, adding that reports claiming he barred residents from returning are untrue.

Among those affected is 92-year-old Pilar Buenafe, who is blind.

Expressing a desire to return home, she voiced the sentiments of many displaced residents, stating, “I just wanted to go home.”

Gasataya acknowledged their concerns but emphasized the need for safety.

“I feel you and I truly understand, but we don’t want anybody getting hurt. That’s why I’m asking you to let us ensure your safety first, because for now, that is our priority,” he said.

The mayor also presented an on-site housing development plan that includes proper road networks and a drainage system.

“I have envisioned this, but there is a process that needs to be done,” he explained, noting the importance of creating a secure and livable community.

Gasataya also met with Eva Maria Marfil, Western Visayas regional director of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), to explore a potential partnership for the housing project.

The proposal includes a presidential proclamation for the donation of over 7,787 square meters of national government-owned land.

Punong Barangay Freeman Madalag has voiced his support for the city’s proposal.

Gasataya clarified, however, that the plan is still in its early stages.

“That’s the long-term goal, an ownership and a place they can truly call home. Rest assured, the local government of Bacolod will always be here to help you in whatever way we can,” he affirmed.

The fire, which occurred on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Purok Ceriza 2, Barangay 27, left 145 homeowners, 105 sharers, and 44 renters displaced.