ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat — Demolition team of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Sultan Kudarat province started demolishing the houses on Monday morning (Feb. 17, 2020) erected within the government’s road-right-of-way along the national highway of Barangay Kenram in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province.
No residents resisted the demolition because they have volunteered to destroy their houses. Owners of concrete houses have asked the help of the demolition team to tear it down, citing their incapability to destroy it.
“Yung mga may-ari ng mga bahay na gawa sa semento humingi ng tulong na sana tulungan sila na magiba ang kanilang mga bahay dahil wala silang mga gamit panggiba,” said Assistant District Engineer of the 1st District Engineering Office of the DPWH in Sultan Kudarat province.

The DPWH carried out the demolition based on the approved “COC” (or Certificate of Compliance) it filed to the local government of Isulan, the capital town of Sultan Kudarat province.
“We have no other option but to implement it,” said Engr. Mama, who stressed that the affected houses were given more than the period prescribed by the law. “Kaya wala silang masabi. Ang pagpapaalis sa kanila ay dumaan sa mahabang proseso, consultations at dialogues pero hindi pa rin sila nakinig,” Engr. Mama stressed.
Supervising Area Coordinator for Region 12 of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) Ms. Phyllis Daswani, who is also present during the demolition, said she can attest to the efforts of the DPWH in notifying the affected residents to leave the area because they built their houses in an area where they are prohibited.
Ms. Daswani said the role of the PCUP is to see if the “due process” was given to the affected residents.
“Everything goes on due process. DPWH needs to implement what is supposed to be implemented,” said Ms. Daswani, who is accompanied by Kenram Barangay Captain Jonard Gotong and personnel of MSWDO-Isulan in witnessing the demolition on its second day (Tuesday) today.
Ms. Grace Dalagon of MSWDO-Isulan said they will extend assistance to the affected house owners.
“Pwede silang maka avail ng assistance if they can submit a certificate of indigency and voter’s registration certificate to the municipal government. (RAMIL BAJO/PHOTO CREDIT TO APRIL KEITH BALDEO-DPWH-SK1stDEO PIO STAFF)
Published by Diyaryo Milenyo
DPWH starts demolishing houses illegally built along the national highway in Sultan Kudarat province