Palace to facilitate squatter relocation
March 13, 2005 | 12:00am
Malacañang has assured full support to the relocation of an estimated 4,000 squatter families in Malabon City by way of virtually "pre-approving" the funding requirements for the acquisition of identified relocation sites.
The STAR gathered this during the marathon hearings at the Malabon City Hall late Friday afternoon that resulted in preventing from further escalating a bloody clash that already erupted mid-morning of the same day between residents of the 5.8-hectare Gozon family-owned property in Barangay Tonsuya and the latter’s demotion crew.
Some 10 persons, all from the Gozon’s hired crew, were injured while some 50 to 60 houses were also torn down during that confrontation.
In an exclusive interview, Presidential Commission for Urban Affairs (PCUP) Percival Chavez told The STAR that his office is now focusing on fast-tracking the relocation of the affected residents considering the urgency of the particular case.
With nowhere to go, the residents’ maintained a hardline stance against leaving the area despite an order of the local metropolitan court and an affirmation of the same order by the Supreme Court rendering their demolition final and executory.
"We are intending to open a ‘special window’ at the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the fastest way we can to lock-in the land (prospective relocation site)," Chavez said.
The official said this is the best way they see for the people to be able to transfer immediately.
Regular processing, Chavez said, takes some three to six months.
"Bawal ang mag-release ng pondo before the required procedures and requirements are complied with. This (fast-tracking) will need a special directive from PGMA. She promised (Thursday night) to attend to this. Under the law, the government is mandated to assist the underprivileged and the homeless, especially victims of demolition and eviction. This is a state obligation," Chavez said.
He added that the President also asked him for the list of possible options (other resettlement sites) and their corresponding (acquisition) costs.
"Tinitingnan pa natin kung may pondo," Chavez told The STAR when asked where the funding will be coming from. He clarified, however, that this did not mean there is no money for the project. He said it was a question of "which to prioritize."
Chavez said the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHFMC) under the CMP program will look into the viability of the sites. He disclosed that the Gozons are still open to further negotiations.
The property in question had, per the City Assessor’s Office, a zonal valuation of P1,500 per square meter, but the fair market value (FMV) or the prevailing market price reportedly ranges between P20,000 to P50,000. The city government has previously admitted it has no funds for any expropriation proceedings, including that for the Gozon property.
He said under the regular CMP, each family beneficiary can avail of P100,000 payable for 25 to 30 years.
The negotiations between the opposing parties mediated by City Mayor Canuto Oreta and Chavez on Friday also resulted in the forging of a 10-point agreement.
The agreement was signed by Oreta, Chavez, Senior Superintendent Raul Gonzales (deputy chief Northern Police District Office) for NPDO director Chief Supt. Noe Wong, Senior Superintendent Jose Teofisto (Malabon police chief), Criss, Lejun de la Cruz (Alab Katipunan) and leaders of the three homeowners associations.
Among the conditions agreed upon, as shown in a copy obtained by The STAR, were that the homeowners’ associations will police their ranks and abide by the agreement to start the census or verification (screening) of the list of family-beneficiaries immediately during the one-week break; the families whose houses were torn down earlier be given priority for immediate relocation; prospective transfer sites Panghulo and Dampalit be inspected by association leaders, the city government and the PCUP for viability (if habitable); the police will arrest anyone constructing a new structure in the Gozon property. The city government has since withdrawn its petition for TRO on the demolition while the Gozons had agreed to provide trucking services for the relocation of the affected families.
The STAR gathered this during the marathon hearings at the Malabon City Hall late Friday afternoon that resulted in preventing from further escalating a bloody clash that already erupted mid-morning of the same day between residents of the 5.8-hectare Gozon family-owned property in Barangay Tonsuya and the latter’s demotion crew.
Some 10 persons, all from the Gozon’s hired crew, were injured while some 50 to 60 houses were also torn down during that confrontation.
In an exclusive interview, Presidential Commission for Urban Affairs (PCUP) Percival Chavez told The STAR that his office is now focusing on fast-tracking the relocation of the affected residents considering the urgency of the particular case.
With nowhere to go, the residents’ maintained a hardline stance against leaving the area despite an order of the local metropolitan court and an affirmation of the same order by the Supreme Court rendering their demolition final and executory.
"We are intending to open a ‘special window’ at the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the fastest way we can to lock-in the land (prospective relocation site)," Chavez said.
The official said this is the best way they see for the people to be able to transfer immediately.
Regular processing, Chavez said, takes some three to six months.
"Bawal ang mag-release ng pondo before the required procedures and requirements are complied with. This (fast-tracking) will need a special directive from PGMA. She promised (Thursday night) to attend to this. Under the law, the government is mandated to assist the underprivileged and the homeless, especially victims of demolition and eviction. This is a state obligation," Chavez said.
He added that the President also asked him for the list of possible options (other resettlement sites) and their corresponding (acquisition) costs.
"Tinitingnan pa natin kung may pondo," Chavez told The STAR when asked where the funding will be coming from. He clarified, however, that this did not mean there is no money for the project. He said it was a question of "which to prioritize."
Chavez said the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHFMC) under the CMP program will look into the viability of the sites. He disclosed that the Gozons are still open to further negotiations.
The property in question had, per the City Assessor’s Office, a zonal valuation of P1,500 per square meter, but the fair market value (FMV) or the prevailing market price reportedly ranges between P20,000 to P50,000. The city government has previously admitted it has no funds for any expropriation proceedings, including that for the Gozon property.
He said under the regular CMP, each family beneficiary can avail of P100,000 payable for 25 to 30 years.
The negotiations between the opposing parties mediated by City Mayor Canuto Oreta and Chavez on Friday also resulted in the forging of a 10-point agreement.
The agreement was signed by Oreta, Chavez, Senior Superintendent Raul Gonzales (deputy chief Northern Police District Office) for NPDO director Chief Supt. Noe Wong, Senior Superintendent Jose Teofisto (Malabon police chief), Criss, Lejun de la Cruz (Alab Katipunan) and leaders of the three homeowners associations.
Among the conditions agreed upon, as shown in a copy obtained by The STAR, were that the homeowners’ associations will police their ranks and abide by the agreement to start the census or verification (screening) of the list of family-beneficiaries immediately during the one-week break; the families whose houses were torn down earlier be given priority for immediate relocation; prospective transfer sites Panghulo and Dampalit be inspected by association leaders, the city government and the PCUP for viability (if habitable); the police will arrest anyone constructing a new structure in the Gozon property. The city government has since withdrawn its petition for TRO on the demolition while the Gozons had agreed to provide trucking services for the relocation of the affected families.
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