Raffle of lots for fire victims in Mandaue set

CEBU, Philippines - At least 359 of 657 fire victims in Mandaue City who have been temporarily staying at the Cebu International Convention Center grounds for a year now will finally get their permanent lot allotment in the government-owned 9.2 hectares land in Barangays Guizo and Mantuyong.

Beneficiary Selection Committee (BENSELCOM) Division Unit Head Louis Antoine Saberon said the 359 lots will be raffled off on April 6 at the open space in front of the Mandaue City Hall, just beside the City Legal Office.

Last week, the City Council authorized Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing and the Federation of Mandaue Community Urban Poor, through its president, Ms. Norma A. Garbo, to enter into a compromise deal with the fire victims that the re-blocked lots will be raffled off amongst the victims.

Saberon said the beneficiaries have agreed with the system of drawing of lots that will be conducted by the city government in determining who among the fire victims can relocate back to the 9.2-hectare lot.

Once the beneficiaries will occupy the lot, under the settlement, they will execute an affidavit of undertaking stating that they are barred from selling, assigning or transferring the lot given to them by the city to any person by way of legal succession.

Tony Juanico, City Housing and Urban Development Office head, said the geodetic engineers have started putting up markers in the re-blocked land, which is divided into 359 lots, with a lot area of 28 square meters intended per family.

Juanico said the area is now ready for occupancy. He said the selected beneficiaries will shoulder all the cost and secure the necessary permits required for the construction of their homes.

As for the remaining 298 fire victims who will not be selected during the April 6 raffle, the city is now scouting to purchase additional real property for them. (FREEMAN)