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Published on January 20, 2019 Written by Arvin A. Gueco Story by Arvin A. Gueco, Erine Diane G. Batac, Jolina T. Cunanan

DPWH's demolition equipment along McArthur Highway in Barangay San Isidro. Photo by Jolina T. Cunanan/The Kuliat Post

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — On January 7, 2019, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) executed the demolition of illegal structures along McArthur Highway in Barangay San Isidro, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. According to DPWH, the demolition will pave the way to the road widening project in the said area. Almost 40 houses were demolished to implement the project. The structures were considered illegal because the residents can't provide the land title of their houses and they were built right on the highway. DPWH claims that the land on which the houses were built is owned by the government.

Ruined homes. Photos by Jolina T. Cunanan/The Kuliat Post

According to DPWH, along with the announcement of the demolition was also an offer for relocation. But the residents refused to take the offer. Instead, they opposed it. Even though the DPWH has already warned the residents in the area prior to the demolition, the residents still refused and fought in a legal way. "Ala la man kapapil-papil," said Maricel Capili, one of the residents whose house was demolished.

("They don’t even have papers.”)

Three men moving the scraps that were left of their homes. Photo by Jolina T. Cunanan/The Kuliat Post

Maricel is just one of the money who is against the demolition. She, together with her fellow complainants, filed an appeal to reconsider the demolition. According to her, one of the reasons why they oppose the demolition is that they don't have a place to relocate to. They were not provided shelter to move to because the DPWH said that they are not qualified for relocation and have been tagged as professional squatters.

The chief of the barangay asked for the aid of the local government, hoping that they can get help regarding the matter.

By Arvin Gueco - December 12, 2018

Lakandula Street. Photo courtesy: Google Maps

The Angeles City Traffic Development Office is planning to have a rerouting between Jesus Street (near Angeles Elementary School) and Lakandula St. (near Heuristics and Pacific). Once the plan is implemented, all kinds of vehicles, both private and public, will be prohibited from entering Lakandula St. from Jesus St. Instead, vehicles from Jesus St. can go straight and make a left turn to Sto. Entierro St.

Jesus Street. Photo courtesy: Google Maps

According to ACTDO, the rerouting aims to minimize the congestion of vehicles along the area, since the said area is being passed by a mass volume of vehicles especially during rush hours. Added by the jeepneys dropping and picking up passengers at the wrong spot also contributes to delaying the traffic.

Angeles City was once dubbed as one of the busiest city in Central Luzon resulting in frequent changes of its local route.