By Joel P. Mapilies / Correspondent
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—At least 500 National Housing Authority (NHA)-Mount Pinatubo resettlement sites beneficiaries received their titles for their houses and lots.
Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and Ines Gonzales, NHA project manager for Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan, led the distribution of titles to recipients from Bulaon (100) in the city of San Fernando; Camachile (56), Mawaque (100) and Madapdap (44) in Mabalacat City; Pandacaqui (100) in Mexico; and Santa Lucia (100) in Magalang resettlement sites.
Gonzales said out of more than 36,000 titles, 12,000 titles had been distributed since 2006.
Until the end of this year, at least 1,320 more titles will be distributed. The titles are awarded for free to the original beneficiaries who were victims of the Mount Pinatubo eruption.
“But those who occupy the housing units who are nonbeneficiaries are required to pay the legalization fee amounting to P100,000 payable in 30 years,” Gonzales said.
She said the NHA is still processing at least 17,500 titles for distribution in the coming years.
The governor said she, together with Liberal Party Reps. Oscar Rodriguez and Joseller “Yeng” Guiao of Pampanga, persistently made representations with the NHA and to the office of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, former chairman of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, to fast-track the processing of titles.
As a result, Pineda said the intended titles for the beneficiaries are now distributed after 24 years.
The distribution was attended by Board Members Rosve Henson, Crisostomo Garbo, Ricardo Yabut, Cherry Manalo, Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon, Magalang Mayor Romulo Pecson and Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales, and former Board Member Trina Dizon Guevarra.