Capitol eyes new socialized housing scheme for 93-1

CEBU, Philippines - Everything is far from final yet, but the Provincial Government has the option of selling the lots which Ordinance 93-1 occupants failed to pay, under a new socialized housing program.

Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda stressed, however, that Ordinance 93-1 “is no longer existing.”

The ordinance gave opportunity to occupants to purchase the lots, but many failed to pay their obligations even if the deadline was extended several times.

Recently, the National Housing Authority, funded by the Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay, conducted a socio-economic survey on 93-1 beneficiaries in Barangays Busay, Camputhaw, Capitol Site and Kalunasan.

The areas surveyed have a total of 879 lots, with 2,025 households currently occupying the lots.

Sepulveda, in a press conference yesterday, said that the survey made by the NHA could be used as basis to draw up a list of qualified beneficiaries “if ever” the Capitol decides to offer the lot under a new socialized housing scheme.

He stressed that the Capitol would no longer go back to Ordinance 93-1 because this already expired years ago, and is no longer in effect.

Sepulveda further said that if they will go back to 93-1, the more reason that those who were not able to pay cannot assert their rights and will be subject for eviction.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier said that some occupants abused the privileges that should have been accorded “only to the underprivileged in accordance with the original intent of 93-1.”

Based on the NHA report, Garcia said they have to study further the situation to “delineate those that may qualify under the socialized housing program or those who are just social.”

Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young had defended the supposedly well-off occupants saying it’s possible their lives have improved over the years through hard work.

Being well-off now does not automatically mean that these families are not bonafide beneficiaries, Young added.

But Sepulveda said Young’s statement is “off track.”

“It would be erroneous for the vice mayor to tell us nga kaning mga tawhana qualified na. Asa man sila ni qualify nga under sa 93-1 and their contract, they’re supposed to be disqualified, wa man sila kabayad, they did not follow 93-1 nor their contract,” Sepulveda said. – (FREEMAN)