CEBU, Philippines - After almost three decades of struggle, informal settlers-households in a 9.2 hectare-city owned lot in Mandaue City finally received their certificates of lot ownership the other day from Mayor Jonas Cortes.
This highlighted the culmination program of Urban Poor Solidarity Week held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex which was preceded by a parade from city hall and participated by more than 5,000 informal settlers belonging to various homeowners' organizations.
Cortes who was consistent in his stand in donating the lot to the actual occupants said being "servant-leaders" they have the responsibility over the needs of the most needy in society who are considered also as productive members of the community.
Each certificate given to 49 household-beneficiaries, which comprise the first batch, was signed by Mayor Cortes and carries the lot number and block number which is annotated in the title, said Tony Pet Juanico, housing and homesite regulation officer of Housing Urban Development office (HUDO).
The 9.2 hectare-lot owned by the city is located in a prime area within barangays Subangdaku, Tipolo, Guizo, and Mantuyong.
"We started our struggle with the previous two administrations and finally we got what we dream in the term of Mayor Jonas Cortes," said Dometela Subang, president of the 243-strong Lower Tipolo Homeowners Association, Inc. (LTHAI).
The rest of the 1,642 beneficiaries have yet to receive their certification after the lot assignment and subdivisions plan in their respective areas are finalized and approved.
A verification committee headed by Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor was created to screen the beneficiaries who were required to submit pertinent documents which included the certificate of no property and birth certificate, among others.
Some 24 members of LTHAI and 25 members of Malibu-Matimco Village Homeowners Association, Inc. (MMVHAI) received the certificates the other day.
Assisting the awarding of certificates were PCUP regional director Chloe Manlosa-Ouano, Madame Sarah Walker-Cortes, wife of Mayor Cortes, and other city officials. — MNS (FREEMAN)