VP NOLI AWARDS LANDS TO DAVAO INFORMAL SETTLERS
October 17, 2008

VICE President and Housing and Urban Development Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) concurrent chairman Noli 'Kabayan' De Castro awarded land titles and certificates of lot allocation (CELAs) to informal settlers in Davao last Wednesday (October 15).

De Castro said the awarding is part of the relentless effort of the government to fight homelessness in the country.

Earlier this month, De Castro visited Siquijor, Palawan, and Cavite where he distributed lands to homeless people as provided for by executive order 574 and the community mortgage program.

During ceremonies attended by around 1,000 residents in baranggay Bukana, 59 beneficiaries belonging to Fatima Pioneer Settlers Homeowners Association, Cell 2 United Urban HOA, Cory Aquamarine United Villagers Settlers HOA, Garcia Heights Credit Cooprative HOA, and Icsama-SAPAHA HOA received their land titles from De Castro.

On the other hand, CELAs were awarded by De Castro to 595 beneficiaries belonging to various HOAs such as the Garcia Settlers Association Inc., Dona Mercedes Phase 2 HOA, Nuestra Senora Dela Salvacion Settlers, and the Purok eleven Bucana HOA.

CELAs, De Castro explained, are certificates proving that the beneficiaries are already homeowners. Titles will also be awarded to them the moment they complete their amortizations.

Under the CMP program, beneficiaries also pay monthly amortizations that are very affordable based on the 6% interest charged by the government. Normal monthly amortizations are pegged only at P300.

Meanwhile, De Castro lauded the CMP projects in Davao for recording more than 100 percent collection rate. He said such collection efficiency can facilitate more CMP projects not only Davao but to other areas in the country.

"We must remember that the CMP program's success is also dependent on the beneficiaries monthly payment. We cannot sustain the CMP if it does have the fund to roll to finance other projects," he said.

Further, De Castro cited the city of Davao for being one of the most active cities when it comes to socialized housing as proven by the participation of numerous HOAs and families in the government's housing programs.

"This means that Davao is not only competitive but a pro-poor city as well," he added.

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