A disaster brewing?

We have written about this before and it has been out in the news but progress seems slow as to what will be done to address the issues of the railway project that will pass through Davao City.

It was earlier reported by SunSar Davao that 23 barangays will be affected by the Mindanao Railway Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) project.

Barangays affected are Ma-a, Bago Oshiro, Sirawan, Marapangi, Lubogan, Buinugao, Crossing Bayabas, Baracatan, Bankas Heights, Magtuod, Langub, Catalunan Pequeño, Catalunan Grande, Baliok, Tibungco, San Isidro, Mudiang, Mahayag, Waan, Tigato, Indangan, Cabantian and Buhangin.

The office of Councilor Jesus Zozobrado III also released data showing that 10 subdivisions will be affected. These are Monteritz Subdivision, New Ecoland Subdivision, Nortown and Northcrest of Alsons Development, Deca Homes-Buhangin, Narra Park Residences, Alta Monte Davao, South Pacific Residental Estate in Mintal, portions of Deca Homes in Catalunan Grande, Villa Señorita, and Garden Heights. The information of the councilor came from the Department of Transportation and City Planning and Development Office Housing and Home Site Division chief Roy Ryan Rigor. Zozobrado is the chairperson the Committee on Public Works and Highways.

Information from the councilor also revealed that some key developments will also be affected by the railway project. This includes a quarry operations of a big company, a golf course, and projects of some big real estate developers, among others.

On Monday it was also reported that there were homeowners from South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates Homeowners Association that their rights were violated with the absence of a consultation and the lack of disclosure on the project.

“Nobody came to us. The consultation was not done. We were hoping that we will be spared on this because it seemed that we don’t matter. Our rights are violated,” Paulia Pestaño, one of the homeowners, said Monday.

The government must act fast in coming up with a win-win solution for those who will be affected by the railway. It cannot simply be lackadaisical towards the sentiments of those living in the areas affected.

The Mindanao Railway Project is a welcome development to Mindanao but if nothing is done to address the possible human rights issues that it may face -- forcibly evicting people from where they have been living for years -- it will not be surprising that the development of the project will be messy and sad.