Nearly 300 families on PNR land lose homes in demolition

About 300 families in Cabuyao, Laguna lost their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic after it was demolished by the Philippine National Railway (PNR).

According to Cedric Castillo’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the houses were sitting on PNR property and had to be removed to give way to a new train station.

The residents, however, said they received the notice of the demolition but added they did not know it will be carried out amid the health crisis in the country.

“Wala kaming matitirhan. Wala kaming malilipatan, wala pang sasakyan. Wala pang makain, ano aming gagawin?” a resident said.

“Huwag niyo naman po kaming gipitin sa panahong ito. Saan titira ‘yong ibang mga kasamahan namin dito,” another resident added.

Moreover, the Office of the Mayor of Cabuyao, said the residents were already given the memorandum in 2018 and were advised that they will be given accommodation.

“2018 pa actually nilagyan ng tagging. Ang mabibigyan ng mga bahay ay 112 lang, ‘yon lang may tagging. ‘Yong mga tao ang ginawa ‘nako may tagging,’ balikan na naman,” Erwin Boot, executive assistant of the Office of the Mayor, said.

“May mga bahay na sa Southville eh bumalik na naman dito sa riles para kumuha ng tagging,” Boot added.

GMA News already reached out to PNR on the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News