Hundreds get rights to city housing plan

CEBU, Philippines -  More than 300 beneficiaries in Barangays Guizo, Mantuyong and Tipolo in Mandaue City received their certificates of validation and qualified for the socialized housing project in a 9.2-hectare lot of the city government.

Their certificates were personally handed to them by Mayor Jonas Cortes in a simple ceremony yesterday in Barangay Guizo.

Cortes yesterday said that he was looking forward to the fast completion of the validation process undertaken by the four-man committee composed of representatives from the Philippine Commission on Urban Poor, National Housing Association, HUDO and City Social Welfare Services Office so the city government can eventually start their urban poor subdivision in the said area next year.

The mayor cited the success of the Lower Tipolo Homeowners Association wherein the beneficiaries have left their permanent home in the slums and moved in an urban poor subdivision built through "sweat equity" through the help of the beneficiaries.

"Ang pagpanag-iya og shelter di lang katungdanan kun dili katungod sab sa mga less fortunate," Cortes said.

During yesterday's ceremony, the mayor also urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate government's efforts through cooperating and setting aside personal interests.

Yesterday's activity was witnessed by PCUP area head Clemens Quiros, Grace Solis of NHA, Guizo Barangay Captain Jesus Neri , Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede and the rest of  the city council. (FREEMAN)