BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
BY THE way, I am a bit confused about the proposed housing program of the city government in Bacolod. Isn’t it disjointed? This, as the current development seems to be mystifying. Why?
On Wednesday (July 27), the City Council approved a resolution authored by Councilor Vladimir “Vladi” Gonzales, chairman of the Committee on Urban Poor, Housing and Resettlement.
Such aims to address the problems of homelessness and demolitions involving informal settlers (squatters).
The resolution encourages private landowners, banks or financial institutions, government-owned-and-control corporations and other government instrumentalities in the city to offer their real properties for donation or voluntary sale.
They, too, the resolution (further) reads, could dispose their properties in whatever modes and means for the benefit or absolute use of the city for its housing and resettlement programs and projects, and for other similar purposes.
Dissecting and deciphering the contents of the resolution, it led me to come up with (my own) generic interpretations:
* The city has no lot yet for its proposed housing program.
* It is as if the city is “begging” for lot.
Questions:
* Why beg?
* Why did Vladi present to the media last June the architectural perspective of the proposed tenement housing for Bacolod’s squatters if the city still lacks lot to host such?
* Which comes first – lot or architectural perspective?
* Why bill that project “On-Site, In City, Near City” when there’s no certainty yet as to the exact location?
‘SEAMLESS’
When Atty. Bong Dilag, Mayor Albee’s spokesman, held a press conference also in June regarding this housing program, everybody thought it’s already a go!
He even made certain clarification that there’s no conflict of interest (COI) with regards to the decision of the mayor to tap his own foundation (Joly Homes Foundation, Inc.) to lead this housing program.
So, the public perceived everything is “seamless”.
But here comes Vladi’s resolution that baffles everyone now.
Per Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA), the city has around 20,000 families belonging to squatter sector.
So, as promised by Mayor Albee to get Bacolod rid of squatters, he also needs to build a more or less 20,000 housing units.
The figure per se demands a bigger space, but where? What if no one will donate land for the said purpose? Where will the city build this on site, in city, near city housing project?
The city can exercise one of its inherent powers under the 1987 Philippine Constitution -the power of eminent domain. But it must expect “resistance” on this process.
Granting that it’ll do so just to fulfill Mayor Albee’s promise to the informal settlers, the question is: How long the case(s) take in court?
Lots of things, particularly legal impediments, are to be considered still. Vladi should know more about the legal implications –slash-consequences of lot donation nowadays.
He must have to check first the contents of Book III, Title III of the New Civil Code as to the dos and don’ts on lot donation inter vivos. There, I am sure, Vladi will be guided well as to who can or can’t donate lot(s) even for a noble cause.
Bacolodnons are (really) looking forward to this housing project. The title per se: On-Site, In City, Near City sounds “romantic”. It keeps every squatter family to cast hope for a “beautiful living scenario” in an “as is where is” basis.
The very problem is the location can’t be ascertained yet. Worse, if no one will donate lots for this housing project.
So, hope will just be hope? Or, from now on let’s pray for “himala” (miracle)?/PN
