[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 22, 2008
By MAR T. SUPNAD
BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan wants all properties foreclosed by the province be accounted for and reviewed after it was learned that many small lots belonging to farmers were among those that have been foreclosed.
Vice Gov. Serafin Q. Roman, presiding officer of the provincial board, said he has summoned Provincial Treasurer Emerlinda Talento to appear before the legislative body and update the members about the foreclosed properties.
"We are surprised sometimes because we have a number of new properties that we ourselves do not even know and these are the foreclosed properties," Roman said. "Pag-aari na pala ng provincial government ang mga lupang yan, pero hindi pa namin nalalaman. Dapat malaman din namin bilang members ng provincial board."
The vice governor said he wanted small farmers to be accorded leniency before foreclosing their properties.
"Hindi na nga tayo nakakapagbigay ng subsidy sa mga mahihirap na magsasaka ay kukumpiskahin pa natin ang kanilang pinayabong na lupain dahil lamang sa hindi sila nakakapagbayad regularly ng kanilang buwis. This is confiscatory," Roman said.
Earlier, the board gave Gov. Enrique "Tet" Garcia the authority to accept offers to repurchase agricultural or residential properties with assessed values not exceeding P1 million that were acquired by the province during realty tax delinquency auction sales.
