The Baguio City Council has called on the City Engineering Office (CEO) to ensure that no houses are demolished during the road recovery project in Sto. Rosario Barangay until all inspections and reports are completed.
Prompted by a letter of appeal from Edna Carranza and Lucilla Bersamira, the city council set a forum with the CEO and the affected residents during its regular session on November 4, 2024.
The road project, with a total budget of P20 million, aims to reclaim road right-of-way areas for expanded use, with phase one funded by the 2023 Local Development Fund (LDF) and phase two supported by Ordinance 31-2023. A third phase, funded by the 2024 LDF, will complete the road recovery.
Engr. Richard Lardizabal, Acting Asst. City Engineer, said the project is legally supported by Presidential Decrees 1906 and 17, Executive Order No. 112, and Republic Act 7279, adding that a joint on-site ground marking on August 2, 2024, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR), established the precise boundaries for recovery.
Lardizabal noted that, under Executive Order No. 112, the minimum road width is 10 meters, but the project aims to expand up to 15-20 meters. With the project requiring a wider width and involving both sides of the road to achieve a complete development, he estimated that about five to seven houses accommodating two families (Bersamiras and Carranzas) would be affected by the project.
Attending the forum, affected resident Jonathan Carranza said they expected the project would only require a 10-meter width but were surprised to find that the scope had expanded which may lead to the dismantling of a significant portion of their residential structures.
Edna Carranza, another affected resident, said their family and the Bersamira family are willing to accommodate the 10-meter setback from the road center but expressed worry about the impact on their homes and the loss of their garden.
Punong Barangay Lucia Dolteo shared that residents initially understood the project would require only partial adjustments to their properties, specifically a 10-meter setback. However, she said the residents are now concerned that the project may completely displace them, leaving them without alternative housing.
Lardizabal acknowledged that only portions of the Bersamira and Carranza families’ houses would be affected by the project, rather than the entire structures.
He asserted that the land occupied by the affected residents are classified as a safeguarded and greenbelt zone by the (DENR and is being considered for recovery as a loading and unloading area, with plans for green walk additions. He stressed that building within safeguarded lands is prohibited under Ordinance 18-2016.
He also presented a document issued by the CEO on February 22, 2015 stating that the properties of Bersamira and Carranza families are within the RROW and that they may temporarily utilize the area under the condition that no improvements will be made and that they must agree to vacate if the city needs to widen the road.
Councilor Peter Fianza questioned the exact timing of when the road became classified as a city road in relation to the affected residents’ claims of occupying the lot since 1991. He stressed that understanding the historical classification of the road is important to determine the legitimate application of rules and guidelines on road recovery. He also warned against arbitrarily deciding the road’s placement without proper identification.
“At the time they were there, was there even a road? If there is no identification of the road-right-of-way, what exactly are you referring to for recovery?” Fianza asked.
He advised Lardizabal to review the guidelines on the appropriation of public lands concerning the declaration of a road-right-of-way.
Similarly, Councilor Isabelo Cosalan Jr. inquired about the technical description and survey of the road. He emphasized that such documents would clarify which areas are affected and help the city council determine how to handle compensation and relocation if necessary.
Lardizabal confirmed that initial surveys had been conducted but some adjustments are still required. He acknowledged that a more thorough plan is needed and that the city government will work with other agencies to finalize the RROW issues.
Councilor Elmer Datuin urged the CEO to consider flexibility in the road recovery project to make it less disruptive to the residents. Lardizabal agreed to review the situation and be as flexible as possible and acknowledged the importance of fairness in addressing the situation.
Councilor Mylen Victoria Yaranon stressed that the project should strictly adhere to the approved RROW and sidewalk recovery guidelines without extending into other areas. She suggested that if the project only involves minor encroachment, the residents may be open to an agreement.
Councilor Fred Bagbagen recognized the residents’ understandable concern over losing their homes. However, he said that even if demolition is not immediate, the government could reclaim the land at any time and that any current relief may only be temporary.
Bagbagen urged Lardizabal to avoid giving the residents false hope about the project’s flexibility. He demanded clarity on whether adjustments to the plan are feasible.
Lardizabal said that while they aim to recover the road for public use, they are bound by legal requirements. He added the project considers both city regulations and the primary objective of expanding the road and that although temporary flexibility may be considered, the plan will ultimately adhere to proper road specifications.
Councilor Arthur Allad-iw suggested that a possible solution could be relocating affected residents to an area where they could legally reside. He and Datuin proposed prioritizing these affected residents in the city’s housing projects.
Fianza requested that a final report and recommendations be submitted. In response, Lardizabal agreed to proceed with clearing areas that do not involve demolishing private structures until further notice and committed to submit a report once these areas are cleared.
Fianza also suggested an on-site inspection on November 8, 2024 to assess the situation, especially the areas impacting the residents like the Carranzas and Bersamiras.
The city council agreed to proceed with the road project without demolishing any structures for now. Once the necessary clearing and inspection are completed, the Committee on Urban Planning, Lands, and Housing headed by Fianza will make a final recommendation. Baguio City – Sangguniang Panlungsod
