Gov’t to delay sale of NCMH property

The planned sale of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) property in Welfareville lot in Mandaluyong City has been deferred as the government decided to first bid out the portion of the property where a squatters’ colony is now located.

This was announced yesterday by Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit in a dialogue with around 200 employees of the NCMH who trooped to the Department of Health (DOH) office in Manila yesterday to protest the sale of the NCMH property.

Dayrit said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had changed its mind and will first bid out Parcel 2 of the Welfareville lot occupied by squatters. It measures around 29 hectares.

Initially, the DSWD was to sell the 71-hectare Parcel 1, where the NCMH and the Correctional Institute for Women sit.

During the dialog, Dayrit committed to help the employees by making a representation for their request to stop the planned sale of the NCMH.

"I can support you in your request for a possible delay in the sale. We have two options here — either a delay or a stoppage of the sale," he noted.

The health chief was forced to meet the protesters when they refused to leave the DOH compound without hearing from him after five hours. They arrived there at around 8 a.m.

Four policemen from the nearby Police Community Precinct 3 came to secure the compound when the placard-bearing protesters advanced near the building that houses Dayrit’s offices.

The DSWD is planning to sell the Welfareville property phase by phase in compliance with Republic Act 5260 that was approved in 1968 during the Marcos administration.

The law is in fulfillment of the Philippine government’s agreement with the United Nations Children’s Fund and World Health Organization. The proceeds of the sale will be used to finance programs and projects for children nationwide.

But NCMH employees and Welfareville residents are strongly opposing the plan for fear of displacement.

During a pre-bid last Nov. 21 at the DSWD, Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos made a formal request for the DSWD stop the bidding "until the basic rights of the (Welfareville) residents to acquire their just share of the property have been completely established and secured."

"We have resolved that only after certain issues regarding the assurance land ownership by affected families residing in Welfareville have been addressed can the city be supportive of he developmental plan of the property," Abalos maintained.

Abalos warned that resistance to the sale will continue unless the residents are given assurance that they will not lose their hope.

He added that the city government had earmarked P1 billion for the purchase of Parcel 2 property which it intends to developed into socialized housing for the squatters.

According to Suzette Agcaoili, DSWD director for Assets and Management, the Trustee Committee supervising the sale had set Jan. 5, 2003 at the schedule for interested bidders to submitting their bid proposal for Parcel 2.

Bidders, on the other hand, can submit their proposed bid for Parcel 1 on Jan. 12.

Dayrit said that he would facilitate a review of the sale to determine if the plan can be delayed or finally abandoned.

"It will be decision of the national government. This needs a collective decision, it’s not under my control. But I’ll try to make a case for you for a possible delay or stoppage of the plan," he added.