‘Professionals’ were qualified beneficiaries

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) Executive Director Ronald Anthony “Butch” Librando confirmed that there are indeed professionals living in some of the city’s socialized housing sites, but added that they are qualified recipients of the program.

This is in response to Councilor Rey Gealon’s privilege speech during the City Council session last Wednesday stating that he received reports that there are occupants of the city’s housing projects that are professionals, thus “unqualified” as beneficiaries.

Gealon argued that professionals as recipients takes away opportunities from those who truly deserve a decent place to call home.

“This abuse of the system is unacceptable, and today we stand united to condemn the presence of unqualified beneficiaries in Cebu City's socialized housing program in violation of City Ordinance No. 1969, or the Socialized Housing Program Beneficiary Selection Guidelines,” part of Gealon’s speech said.

In an interview with the Cebu City PIO, however, Librando clarified that the “professionals” referred to by Gealon are actually employees of City Hall and other national government agencies.

He said the socialized housing sites where these professionals are living are designated for government workers.

“Tinuod nga naa gyuy mga dagko (nga balay) kay naa man ni sa mga housing sites intended for government workers, particularly for City Hall executives and those working for national government agencies,” Librando said.

Librando said he initiated an internal review on the beneficiaries as he intended also to cross-check what he gets with the list of names that City Councilor Rey Gealon may possess.

Gealon also said earlier that rigorous screening and verification of all applicants should be done to ensure that only those who meet the criteria—low-income families, informal settlers, and the most vulnerable—are approved.

Librando, however, said that government employees are not subject to beneficiary screening as their tenure in living in socialized housing sites are not subject to CO 1969.

“Wala ni sila nag-agi (og screening under CO 1969) kay benefit man ni nila as City Hall and government employees,” he said.

Librando disclosed that there are three socialized housing sites intended for government employees, namely in barangays Busay, Kasambagan, and Bulacao.

The same housing sites, though, are also being utilized as relocation of urban poor settlers that the City has screened and qualified as beneficiaries of the socialized housing program.

“Mao sad nay problema kay naay mga housing site for government employees pero naa sad siyay mga relocatees sad,” Librando said. — (FREEMAN)