Urban poor division is P22M short of target

CEBU, Philippines - The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) of the Cebu City Government has collected over P19 million last year from the monthly amortization of the beneficiaries of the socialized housing, but is P22 million short of the target.

DWUP Chief Danilo Gabiana said, though, that the P19-million collection in 2010 is already better compared to their collection rate in the previous years.

They targeted to collect P3.5 million per month but actual collection was only P1.6 million monthly from January to December 2010 because many beneficiaries remain delinquent.

DWUP collects monthly amortization from over 40,000 beneficiaries of the City’s socialized housing programs. Urban poor beneficiaries pay the amount of P200 to P1,500 monthly, depending on the value and the size of the lot they availed from the City.

One of the reasons of low collection efficiency is because the beneficiaries are hesitant to pay due to less development in their respective sites.

There are also some associations whose dues were restructured or condoned by the Council but have not signed another Memorandum of Agreement with the City.

Had they been inactive in sending notices to vacate to delinquent payers, Gabiana said it’s possible they would not get even a percent of their current collection rate.

“Di man gud na sila mamayad kung dili i-remind. So we plan to increase our collection by reminding them constantly through conducting orientation to the beneficiaries,” Gabiana said.

DWUP also has pending self-help projects such as drainage systems, concrete pavements and pathways, stepped footpath, concrete slab, retaining wall, wide path walk, roadways, railings, concrete canals and line canals with cover, among others, amounting to P6.6 million.

Also last year, DWUP issued certification for electrical applications to 590 beneficiaries. There are 36 community associations constantly updated of their payments and balances.

The various socialized housing programs of the city are City-Owned Rehabilitation of Estates (CORE) with almost 2,000 beneficiaries, City Housing and Acquisition of Privately-Owned Lots (CHAPEL) with over 2,000 beneficiaries, Community Mortgage Program with 2,600 beneficiaries, Resettlement, Direct Purchase of Community Associations to Land Owners and Special Projects such as Presidential Proclamations, Executive Orders and Province-owned lots.

These are lots found in different barangays in the city including barangays Luz, Duljo-Fatima, Kalunasan, Basak Pardo, Inayawan, Mambaling, Quiot, Kinasang-an and Budlaan among others. (FREEMAN)