Illegal settlers trying to take control of housing units for Baguio, Tuba storm victims

TUBA, Benguet -- Illegal settlers are now trying to take control of a housing project here to ease out Baguio and Tuba constituents displaced by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009, local folks here said.

This, as Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week requested Councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr., to look closely into problems of the joint Baguio-Benguet housing project here at Barangay Tadiangan.

There were reportedly complaints some of the relocation’s housing units were not being occupied, and residents were not responsible enough in maintaining cleanliness of the area.

Housing units were constructed for those who were displaced and homeless after Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009.

The housing consists of partially furnished attached units, with basic city services such as water, electricity and garbage collection, and an 8-classroom elementary school is being constructed for the 400-unit community, it was known.

 In a forum with the allocatees last week at city multi-purpose hall, Yangot told uninterested and unqualified occupants to admit such and surrender their units.

The councilor who made a surprise visit at the housing community observed some units were locked or abandoned.

As reported by neighbors, some of the units were not being used, while some were allegedly being offered for sale.    

He however said the evaluation and screening committee with him, the National Housing Authority, City Social Welfare and Development Office and other concerned agencies shall be strict in implementing the rules in the continuing award of units.

Allocatees, not only being Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng victims should also belong to the “poorest of the poor,” it was known.

They also have to comply with other requirements, the councilor said.   

Returned units would be awarded to other qualified applicants, the councilor said, though as of last count, 223 were for Baguio residents, while the rest occupied by Benguet residents.

The councilor said units were not free, though additional improvements are expected from residents.

An expansion is also expected with enough open spaces.

Transportation was needed, residents collectively said, as the community is quite a distance from the main road. 

Betty Fangasan, head of the CSWDO urged Tadiangan relocation site residents to organize themselves to give them more voice in asking for more projects.

She promised service and livelihood trainings to those interested. Capacity-building trainings may also be provided, she said.     

Tuba Mayor Florencio Bentrez who spoke for his community urged residents be cooperative and respect the place.

He admitted hosting a relocation site is difficult with socio-economic problems like lack of basic services.

Goodwill and cooperation between and among neighbors, both in the housing community and inter-municipalities are important, such as that of Tuba and Baguio City, Bentrez said.

Yangot confirmed the presence of each applicant, and answered queries from attendees. He heads the council committee on urban planning, lands and housing.

The councilor also had a meeting with settlers of the Buyog watershed in Pinsao, Wednesday morning to thresh out legal issues of land ownership.