TENSION is rising and a violent confrontation is threatening to happen between residents of Sitio Russia and the Dagupan City government after city hall officials engaged in a tug-of-war battle over the barriers erected by the settlers blocking to their community.

City Administrator Alvin Fernandez was firm in his order to remove the road block since the residents were blocking access to a public road meant for everybody’s use. The residents, in turn, restored the road blocks twice, and twice the city hall personnel removed them.

“Our city administrator wants to deliver the message that anarchy has no place in Dagupan and no person or group of persons can just enforce their will even if it’s against the law,” said City Legal Officer George Mejia.

The road blocks were set up by the residents soon after they rejected the offer of the city government for their relocation to Sitio Bagong Baryo in Bonuan, Binloc.

Meanwhile, Mejia said pre-construction operations are now ongoing in the area where the houses will be constructed for the relocated families.

“The city’s Bids and Award Committee (BAC) has already scheduled a public bidding for the construction of the row houses at an estimate cost of P4 million,” Mejia said.

A usufruct agreement has also been signed between the city government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the use of the two-hectare lot as a relocation site.

The sitio Russia residents in a press conference on November28, however, insist the city government has failed to demonstrate its sincerity to relocate them as promised.

“Ang ipinakita lang sa amin ay dokumento na sulat-kamay at walang pirma ninuman,” said Eduardo Abellera and Juanito Mendez, both Sitio Russia residents.

This was denied by Mejia who said the documents presented to them were perfectly legal and all approved by the court, adding they did never submit any unsigned hand-written note as claimed.

The residents have also appealed to the city government to allow them to celebrate Christmas in their present homes, fearing that the demolition might be carried out anytime now.

Mejia told The PUNCH that the city government has no plan to demolish the houses.

Meanwhile, Mejia said the Regional Trial Court has scheduled a preliminary conference on the civil case filed by Sitio Russia residents against the city government on Dec. 16.

He said this is the first meeting for both parties scheduled by the court after Sitio Russia residents rejected the relocation plan.—LM

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