Lack of permanent head affects DWUP’s efficiency

CEBU, Philippines — A constant change of leadership has allegedly affected the performance of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) in monitoring the city government's housing program.

Councilor Nestor Archival blamed the lack of a permanent head of DWUP why the office has been found to be ‘inefficient’ in carrying out its mandate.

Archival invited representatives from DWUP, Local Housing Board, City Planning and Development Office, Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) to an executive session to hear the concerns of Sambag Ville Phase 3 Homeowners Association following a fire incident in their area last April.

During the executive session yesterday, Archival said they inquired data from DWUP but the latter could not provide.

"Wala sila (DWUP) kahibaw," he said.

Archival said it should have been incumbent upon DWUP to provide the number of affected residents to map out the necessary assistance the city government may extend. Archival said the current officer-in-charge of DWUP was not able to answer questions from the members of the council owing to the alleged absence of proper turnover from the previous head.

The councilor said that DWUP should have implemented a proper turnover of vital information.

“Ang usa nako ka comment, wala tay certain nga process on how to turnover of the important documents or kana bitaw’ng concerns sa mga tawo nga nagsunod,” said Archival.

He also raised concerns over the office’s lack of knowledge on the owner of the lot occupied by the residents. According to Archival, there have been conflicting reports about the real ownership of the property.

One report says that the property is owned by the government through the National Housing Authority (NHA) while another claims it is owned by a private individual, whose identity is yet to be determined.

Archival also lamented the lack of a specific department at City Hall where confusions similar to this may be directed.

“Akong comment is ang atong city government naa gyud dapat tay opisina nga maka store og data sa ing-ani nga areas sa Urban Poor,” said Archival.

Archival vowed to file a resolution urging DWUP to determine the exact number of residents affected by the fire in Sambag Ville Phase 3 and to identify the real owner of the lot the residents occupied.

He also would want DWUP to map out a drainage master plan to ensure that the area will not be affected by flooding in the future. — /FPL (FREEMAN)