Socialized housing program: “Professionals” among beneficiaries?

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council wants an investigation into the alleged inclusion of unqualified beneficiaries for the city’s socialized housing program.

Councilor Rey Gealon condemned, in a privilege speech on Wednesday, the inclusion of professionals in the housing program that is intended for the poor residents of the city.

Gealon, chairman of the committee on laws, said the program is aimed at providing affordable housing for the people who need it the most. It was built on the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and compassion.

“However, it has come to my attention that some individuals who do not qualify for this program are about to be awarded with lots (such as an engineer and other professionals) taking away opportunities from those who truly deserve a decent place to call home,” Gealon said.

The councilor said it is “unacceptable” that some professionals are taking advantage of the system. Gealon said that including professionals in the list of beneficiaries of the housing program is a violation of City Ordinance No. 1969 or the Socialized Housing Program Beneficiary Selection Guidelines.

“Housing is a basic human right, but more importantly, it is a privilege for those who meet the qualifications and adhere to the guidelines of the program,” said Gealon.

He pointed out that program is being undermined by those who exploit it for personal gain or those who have misrepresented their circumstances to secure homes. Gealon highlighted the consequences of allowing unqualified individuals to take advantage of the program such as displacing true beneficiaries; wasted resources and erosion of public trust.

Gealon calls on stronger measures to ensure that only qualified applicants benefit from the socialized housing program of the city government. This includes rigorous screening and verification of all applicants; regular audits and investigations of the masterlist of beneficiaries and stricter penalties for individuals who falsify information or use influence to bypass the program's guidelines.

In line with this, the council approved Gealon’s resolution to call for an executive session with the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) to explain the inclusion of unqualified beneficiaries in their list.

Likewise, an investigation was also called upon by the City Legal Office on the matter. The council also approved the request to the Office of the Mayor to suspend the awarding of the socialized housing lots to the unqualified beneficiaries. —/FPL (FREEMAN)