Davao City Residents Take Matters Into Their Own Hands with Self-Demolition Ahead of Eviction
In a poignant display of resilience, residents of Arroyo Compound in Barangay Matina Crossing, Davao City, initiated the self-demolition of their homes before the official demolition team arrived on the morning of Friday, February 27, 2026. This preemptive action allowed families to salvage personal belongings, including clothes, cabinets, and household items, with some placing their possessions along McArthur Highway or in the vacant space of a nearby gasoline station to ensure safety for themselves and their pets.
Voices from the Ground: Stories of Struggle and Hope
Jessel Restauro Baguio, a resident of Lower Arroyo for over a decade, shared her emotional journey, having self-demolished one of her two houses. She expressed lingering hope for government assistance, stating, "This isn't the first time we've struggled—it has happened many times already. But why is it that heaven hasn't allowed it?" Despite uncertainty about her future, Baguio remains optimistic about rebuilding her life.
Sobieda Mangadlao Gomez, another long-term resident, highlighted the personal sacrifice involved, noting she had just completed a second-level construction on her home before demolishing it. "I volunteered because I wanted to. I was the one who let myself be ruined. It's not easy to earn money," she explained, underscoring the financial and emotional toll of the process.
Demolition Scope and Community Uncertainty
Hundreds of personnel from the demolition team focused on dismantling structures at Upper Arroyo Compound, where numerous houses once stood. Sandy Paspie, president of the Saint Benedict Neighborhood Association, reported visiting the barangay to confirm the number of affected homes but received no clear confirmation on whether Lower Arroyo would be included. "The coverage is from Mercury Drug up to here at the pathway, meaning this pathway straight up to there. But I'm not saying we will not be included," she clarified, reflecting the community's anxiety.
Relocation Efforts and Landowner Initiatives
As demolitions progressed, Ariel Maranon, representing the Lui Family who owns the land, announced ongoing assessments for vacant lots in relocation sites to accommodate remaining residents. "If there are still vacant lots, then we will evaluate who really needs to be given one. And if there are vacant lots there where houses can be built, the Lui family is willing to provide them," he stated in a media interview on February 26, 2026, in Barangay Tacunan, Davao City.
Maranon detailed that the relocation program, initiated in 2019, has already established three sites: Talomo River with 300 households, Tacunan with 500 houses, and Dacudao in Calinan with 150 to 200 households. He emphasized that deeds of donation are being prepared for distribution within the year, officially endorsing the sites to the community. While Talomo River and Dacudao have proper water and electricity connections, Tacunan still requires assistance.
Community Perspectives on Relocation
Christopher Masayon, president of the Virginia Ang Lui Homeowners Association, expressed gratitude for the relocation opportunity, noting that over 700 households have settled in the Tacunan site over five years. Each family received P20,000 in cash assistance and an 80-square-meter lot. "I encouraged the people, asking them why we shouldn't relocate. They're doing things properly, they're giving us assistance, and they will provide us with a legitimate relocation site," he said.
Arlana Bahinting-Duay, a relocated resident, acknowledged the practicality of accepting the offer. "So we were not being stubborn. The Lui family offered something beneficial—they gave us P20,000 and an 80-square-meter lot, and we accepted it," she explained, recognizing the lack of legal documentation if they had remained in Arroyo Compound.
Masayon admitted initial challenges, such as the relocation site being 30 to 45 minutes away from their previous residence and lacking proper connections to Davao Light and the Davao City Water District. However, he remains confident that these issues will be resolved, highlighting the community's enduring spirit in the face of adversity.
