NHA finally clears lot as resettlement site
DUMAGUETE CITY — Finally, the National Housing Authority (NHA) started clearing of the more than 3-hectare lot it acquired in 2011 as a resettlement site for victims of tyhoon Sendong, after the tenancy issue was resolved.
Armed with the order from the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) as the legal basis to take position of the property, representatives from the NHA, city legal office, city engineer’s office, city social welfare office, the contractor, the police and some lawyer-members of the Dumaguete City Council trooped to the site and started clearing the area of coconut trees, with City Mayor Felipe Remollo present.
Land development is supposed to be undertaken by the contractor — PhilSouth — but due to possible resistance from a number of families presently occupying the property, Remollo organized the team to enter the property along with heavy equipment, and started cutting down standing coconut trees numbering about 70 and then fenced the area.
According to Remollo, judgment was final and executory since last year with the land title already in the name of the NHA that bought the property at P25 million. But due to resistance from a number of families who claimed they are the original owners, NHA has to wait for the final decision.
Records will show that a certain Rogelio Linaban is the only legitimate tenant, but when it was sold by the Tale family to the NHA, several others took position of the property.
In the DARAB judgement, Linaban was entitled to a P200,000 disturbance compensation for planting the coconut and mango trees to be received by his heirs once he dies.
Remollo also disclosed the property had been converted from agricultural to residential and that the cutting of the coconut trees has permits from the Philippine Coconut Authority.
The NHA housing site is designed to accommodate at least 300 families who were left homeless by typhoon Sendong and who are temporarily residing in private lots in Junob, Balugo and in other barangays.
Remollo said the COA is now questioning the city government why it is leasing the private lots. The mayor said if no action is taken this year, money for development of the land will go back to the national treasury and will wait again for next year.
Upon assumption into office, Remollo had offered the eight households to surrender the possession of the property and assured them of one house and lot each in the housing site. But this was rejected by the claimants who hailed the NHA to court instead.
Aside from the mayor’s offer, the Tale family also offered them at least 2,000 square meters of lot where they can relocate, also in Barangay Banilad, but this was also turned down. With the final judgment, Remollo said his action will depend on the demeanor of the alleged claimants.
Commission on Human Rights special investigator Jess Cañete was requested and invited to be present during the clearing operation Tuesday morning to witness that there was no demolition of houses.