March 16, 2009 06:07 PM Monday [ journal.com.ph ]
HOW did Quezon City lands already allocated by the national and city governments for the urban poor suddenly get auctioned off to private bidders?
District II Councilor Winston Castelo suspects the land sting was pulled off by outside “operators” in possible connivance with city hall insiders.
In his privilege speech last March 2, Castelo said the “injustice” is perpetrated against the poor in Bgys. Baesa and Culiat.
He brandished land titles to the two disputed properties, showing that they were duly stamped by national housing agencies as “CMP” areas.
Castelo expressed shock that the auctions pushed through despite prior City Council approval of a four-phase CMP subdivision plan for the Baesa property.
His claims were backed by the existence of a deed of donation from the city for road lot clearances around the property, as well as P800,000 in receipts representing amounts advanced by homeowners for the property.
It appears that the auctions were held due to reported non-payment of annual property taxes by its owners.
Since 2004, Quezon City residents were enticed to settle back property taxes with a combination of deep discounts and liberal terms. However, properties that remained in arrears were still auctioned off.
Castelo said signed agreements between the city’s organized communities and lot owners must be respected especially since these agreements were governed by a higher national policy on land use.
He called for the issuance of proper proper clearances prior to the auction of occupied poor communities.
Castelo reiterated his previous stand that QC’s urban poor should get first crack or a so-called right of first refusal in the sale of the properties they have occupied informally for many years.
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