‘RIGHTS VIOLATED’

A homeowners association said nobody came to them to discuss the implications of the railway projects

Homeowners in Davao City who are affected by the Mindanao Railway Project complained that their rights were violated by having no consultation and disclosure made about the projects.

Few members of the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates Homeowners Association barged in to the city council's session yesterday to hear the explanation of the realignment of 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 yesterday.

“Most of us are retirees and we chose that place because it is quiet,” she said, adding that with the project being constructed above them, the place will no longer be a quiet place for them anymore.

Pestaño further said that there should have been a consultation done first before they discuss it in the council.

The item endorsing the approval of the project is under Committee on Public Works and Highways chairperson Councilor Jesus Zozobrado III.

Last December 5, Zozobrado said there were 23 barangays and 10 subdivisions affected by the project but no one in the council was objecting, hence, the discussion to properly compensate those who will be affected was pushed through.

However, the homeowners complained that they were not allowed to speak their side yesterday and were not even invited when they were primarily the individuals affected.

Meanwhile, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Eymard Eje if there was a dialogue made between the involved agencies and the homeowners.

“I believe that there were prior consultations made with the homeowners,” Eje said.

Not long after, he also said that since the project was not yet finalized, they have not talked with the homeowners directly and individually yet.

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

South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates homeowner PAULIA PESTAÑO