Some 40 informal settlers received Certificates of Land Awards (CLA) from a private company on Monday in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
The awarding rites were held at the barangay hall of Bgy. Mawaque, Mabalacat and presided over by Michael Jansen ‘Miko’ Abella, Hausland Representative. EPSI the agency that negotiated for the “recovery” of the real property estate for its rightful owner, Fiesta Communities and Hausland Development Corporation (Hausland).
"Ina-assure po namin na itong lupa ay magiging sa inyo na. Inaayos na po namin ang documentation para mailipat na sa inyong pangalan,” Abella said.
“Inyong-inyo na po ito. Huwag naman po ninyong ibenta kaagad,” he added in jest.
The informal settlers used to occupy a 400-hectare property of Hausland for over three decades.
The relocation sites located in Bgys. Mawaque and Mabiga are now equipped with four deep wells for the utilization of the new residents, who were also given financial assistance amounting to P30,000 per household.
EPSI will also build a multi-purpose hall and an access road for the resettlement area.
The 36-square meter lots will be assigned via drawing of lots.
The recipients were given 30 days to work on building their houses.
“They could build any structure that would indicate their ownership of the lot,” said Jude Almar Salvosa, EPSI’s construction negotiator.
Meanwhile, Patrick Fiel Sacay, executive assistant to Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, said it is the advocacy of the local government unit to rid Mabalacat of illegal settlers by 2022.
"So far, all the public lands here have already been utilized,” Sacay said.
Giving the “awardees” livelihood projects as sources of income is already in the pipeline of the LGU.
"May balita na hindi daw totoo itong ipinamimigay na lupa. Nagdi-demolish pa nga raw kami. But this is contrary to reality because it’s the residents themselves who demolished their houses to transfer to the relocation sites," Sacay said.
“EPSI does consultancy, land conversions, reclassifications or any issue that a landowner may have with regard to properties. One of our services is asset recovery and protection, katulad nito ‘yon,” EPSI’s project manager Renard Masongsong said.
“Besides, this is a titled property. The owner pays taxes and is not benefitting from it," he added.
