From Russia with love

By Al S. Mendoza

TWO hectares.

P6 million is ready for relocation expenses.

P2 million more will be released.

All of the above for the 65 squatting families of Sitio Russia of barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City.

I have no reason to either doubt or question those facts since they were provided by George Mejia, the City Legal Officer whose reputation of uprightness is legend.

But, alas, the relocation offer that had been gallantly dangled by the city government remains – as I write this – unacceptable to the 65 families in question.

No, wait, if the squatters at sitio Russia are to be believed, they number not 65 but “108.”

What’s become of the Russia issue, another dagdag-bawas case?

What had appeared as a done deal has seemingly become a thorny issue that could explode into a full-blown case at the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge Genoveva Maramba.

“We have complied with all their wishes,” said Mejia of the squatters. “Mayor Fernandez has even waived the P200-rental and the ‘sweat’ or labor equity that each family has to provide for the construction of their houses.”

Mejia said that if the squatters would insist on “108 families” to be relocated and not “65 families,” a trial looks “almost inevitable” now.

Alvin Fernandez, the City Administrator, has maintained there are only “65 families qualified for relocation.”

It would seem Alvin’s position is on solid ground because it has the backing of Ronaldo Torio, the barangay captain of Bonuan Binloc.

Who could be the last authority to know who resides in a community if not the kapitan of that community himself?

I am saddened by the sudden turn of events.

If a trial should erupt, my heart would naturally bleed for the squatters.

For one thing, they’d be up against City Hall. Formidable. I have yet to see a case that has resulted in a City Hall defeat.

For another, in a clash such as this if it should happen at all, nobody really wins.

In the end, the winner isn’t Mr. Justice, but Mr. Pride. False Pride.

What I could glean from the facts of the case is, relocation is just there waiting to start.

But the action is being stymied by the actual number of families to be relocated: 65 or 108?

Numbers should not stall us in our search, march, for peace.

Numbers should always be our slaves, and not numbers making us the virtual pawns in a simple case that became an all-out war when ill-minded elements poisoned the minds of some of our major players.

Order should be restored and the first move should be to give the boot to the rabble-rousers a.k.a. professional squatters?

Both sides – the true-blue negotiators, that is – should talk it out. Not tough it out.

Both sides should use reason. Not emotion.

The hardest of hearts, the toughest of stands, can be softened if we just begin to see the common good.

All I’m saying is – to quote John Lennon – give peace a chance.

Ain’t that cool?

(Readers may reach columnist at alsol47@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/general-admission/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)