Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna announced that giving informal settlers a new ray of hope that someday, they, too, will have a lot of their own, is one of the key priorities of her young administration.
Lacuna made the pronouncement as she led the awarding of lots to 28 families from various districts of Manila in simple ceremonies at the City Hall where she was joined by Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Manila urban settlements office chief Atty. Cris Tenorio, as she handed the lot awards to the teary-eyed informal settlers, most of whom have spent decades dreaming that they would someday own the lots where they have been squatting for so long.
Also present were City Tenants Security Committee members and third district Councilors Apple Nieto, Fa Fugoso and Terrence Alibarbar.
“Tunay nga po na mapagpala ang araw na ito sapagkat may ilang pamilyang Manilenyo tayong mapapasaya ngayon dahil matatanggap na nila ang tinatawag na “lot award” Isa po ito sa mga prayoridad ng ating pamahalaang-lungsod na mabigyan ng pag-asa ang ating mga informal settlers na magkaroon ng kanilang sariling pag-aari,” Lacuna said.
According to Tenorio, the city government under its ‘land for the landless program’ purchased private lots for the purpose of subdividing them and then giving the lots to those who have been occupying the said lots as informal settlers.
“Inaasahan naming pagsisikapan ng inyong pamilya na mabayaran at maibalik ang ipinuhunan ng lungsod upang magamit din nating muli sa pagbili ng iba pang mga pribadong lupa para sa kapakinabangan ng iba pang mga pamilyang Manilenyo na walang sariling lupa,” the lady mayor said.
The recipients of the lot awards were families from Alfonso Tuazon and Rita Legarda Estate (fourth district); Dimayuga Estate (Maria Clara and Gov. Forbes, now AH Lacson Street) in Sta. Cruz (third district); and Fajardo and Janda Estate (second district).
“Gaya rin ng ating mga Proyektong Pabahay, ang pagkakaroon ng sariling lupang pantahanan ay nagsisilbing batayan ng katatagan at seguridad para sa isang indibidwal o pamilya. Ang lupa at bahay ay maituturing ninyong isang santuwaryo – isang lugar na mamumuhay ang inyong pamilya nang payapa, may seguridad at dignidad,” the mayor said.
” Makakatulog na rin kayo nang mahimbing dahil panatag na ang inyong kalooban na bukas paggising ninyo ay wala na kayong alalahanin na posible kayong mapaalis sa lupang kinatitirikan ng inyong bahay. Kaya, congratulations sa inyong lahat. Sa Panginoon natin ibalik ang lahat ng papuri at pasasalamat,” Lacuna added.
In exchange for this, Lacuna appealed to the recipients to work hard in fulfilling their end of the bargain, by paying the city government a minimal amount for 30 years to help fund similar efforts in the future. (Baby Cuevas)
