Gandamra’s property, located inside Sector 5, was one of 409 structures whose owners consented to the demolition, Bantuas said. The demolition and debris clearing within Sector 1 of the city’s ground zero was stopped in December last year after its contractor failed to secure a demolition permit from the local government and an environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. NegotiationsA total of 6,800 structures, classified as nonhabitable, hazardous and heavily damaged, still stand inside the 250-hectare ground zero, according to the NHA. Bantuas said some property owners were reluctant to give their consent because they thought they might lose portions of their properties once their structures were demolished. Edsel Alan Manigbas, deputy project manager of CJI, said the firm was given eight months to finish the demolition.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 15, 2019 21:22 UTC