Extension of payment period for SIR recipients uncertain

CEBU, Philippines – Whether or not the payment period for amortization for beneficiaries of the city’s Slum Improvement and Resettlement project can be extended remain unanswered.

This after no result was arrived at in yesterday’s meeting with city officials and members of the Alagad nga Lumolupyo Alang sa Kalambuan (Alaska-Federation).

City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said he is still not convinced to extend the December 2009 deadline for the beneficiaries to pay their lots. About 900 of the 2,000 SIR beneficiaries have not completely paid their amortization.

Officers of the federation have asked the city to restructure the payment of those that have not fully paid their amortization, considering that some of them still owe the city at least P50,000 and up to P100,000.

Fernandez will once again meet with the beneficiaries today so he could “directly learn” why they have failed to completely pay their amortization.

Officers of the federation had claimed the economic crisis and miscommunication are the reasons why their members failed to pay their amortization.

“Duna kuno’y nagsulti nga bisan pa og makahuman sila og bayad sa yuta nga ilang gipuy-an, demolison gihapon sila mao nga wala na sila mamayad,” Fernandez quoted the residents as saying.

The government allowed the qualified beneficiaries to own their lots – ranging from 24 to 30 square meters - which will be paid through a staggered basis for 25 years or up to December this year. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)