Rama warns against professional "squatters"

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday alerted Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon and the officials of the Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP) to be vigilant against unscrupulous people who want to avail of government benefits even if they are not qualified.

Some members of the media informed the mayor that some of the beneficiaries who received P8,000 cash assistance each from Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña and North District Rep. Rachel Cutie del Mar did not reveal their true identities.

An inquiry is being made on the matter so Cebu City officials have decided to withhold the names of the concerned beneficiaries who received P8,000 each even if they are disqualified because they can be considered “professional squatters.”

Noel Artes, head of the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (SPEED), confirmed that one of the beneficiaries who constructed an illegal structure beside the Mahiga Creek also owns a house near the Cebu City health department.

Artes said another beneficiary has two other houses also beside the Mahiga Creek, but it is already within the Mandaue City side, while the other one owns a house in barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

DWUP Chief Collin Rossel said his personnel had distributed application forms to 32 families whose structures along Mahiga Creek were voluntarily demolished and assisted by members of SPEED.

Rama said his administration is “very willing to provide relocation sites for qualified applicants,” meaning only families that do not have other houses within the city.

“Mao kana nga angay g’yud nila nga tan-awon pag-ayo kon si kinsa kining mga beneficiaries kay aron dili kita magisal sa kaugalingon natong mantika,” Rama said.

If the unscrupulous persons will use their original names in securing cash assistance or relocation sites, they will be disqualified because somebody may get proof that they have other houses in the city. — /JPM (FREEMAN)