Housing chief to clear overpricing allegation

CEBU, Philippines - Overpricing and delayed construction of additional housing units are two issues hounding beneficiaries of the 6.5-hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.

Some beneficiaries of the said relocation site now fear to construct their housing unit following rumors the P96,000 price per unit will be raised to P200,000. They said they could no longer pay for monthly amortization, if that's the case.

Beneficiaries also heard that from P30,000 down payment required before they could start constructing their units, it will jack up to P60,000.

Lepoldo Chavez, president of the Homeless People's Federation, the umbrella organization of all informal settlers association in the city, however, quickly denied these allegations, saying these were just hearsays.

In a general meeting of all the beneficiaries to be held today, Chavez is set to clear out these rumors, according to Tonypeth Juanico, housing and urban development office chief.

Juanico said beneficiaries will also be informed that the "selection committee will convene soon for the revalidation of membership" after reports also had it that non-beneficiaries were able to acquire lot reservation at the site.

It was also learned that the construction of additional housing units at the site was hampered since July last year because of two present occupants who would not pull out from the site.

One of these occupants was a caretaker of Dennis Lua, the former owner of the site from whom the city purchased the lot. The other occupant was only allowed by the said caretaker to construct a house in the said lot.

Juanico said he has given an ultimatum to these two house owners to move out before May 4 or else they will face forced eviction.

Juanico said they are open to making the former caretaker a beneficiary but he clarified that it is not a dole out as the caretaker still gets to pay for the housing unit if she intends to become a beneficiary, just like other beneficiaries who are obliged to pay.

"Dapat man gud unta ang negotiation is between her and Dennis Lua apan wa man gud siya matagad ni Lua busa for humanitarian reasons, ato na lang siyang i-accommodate. Apan kanang usa, mo-pullout gyud siya totally," Juanico said.

Once these two houses will be pulled out by May 4, the construction of more units will start.

"We have cleared 1,200 informal settlers living along the danger zones. Nganong di gud ta ka clear aning duha ka mga balay but na-delay lang gyud kay mohatag man sad gud ta og due process," he added.

The relocation site is set to benefit hundreds of informal settlers currently living in the city's danger zones.

So far, 300 housing units have been built in the area. (FREEMAN)