Sunday, March 7, 2010
MAGALANG -- Re-electionist Mayor Romulo “Romy” Pecson said Sunday he will order an investigation on the alleged “illegal selling of rights” for lots inside the 50-hectare Ayala Evacuation Center.
Pecson issued the statement following reports that there are some groups selling rights to individuals who want to own property inside the old evacuation center.
The property, which has been turned over to the local government unit by the defunct Mount Pinatubo Commission (MPC), used to be an evacuation center for families affected by the eruptions of Mount Pinatubo.
“Ipapaimbestiga natin yan para malaman natin kung meron ngang nagbebenta ng rights sa mga lupa dun at kung sino ang mga tao sa likod nito,” Pecson said.
The mayor said he will consult his legal officer regarding the filing of criminal charges against the individuals involved in the illegal selling of property, adding that he will direct his police chief to arrest them.
For his part, Lyndon Cunanan, a Nacionalista Party mayoralty bet here, told Sun.Star Pampanga that the local leaders allowed illegal occupancy of some families in the area.
Cunanan said he plans to transform the place into an eco-tourism area and a socialized housing site.
Meanwhile, Pecson said he heard that some former municipal officials are also maintaining properties inside the evacuation center. He, however, refused to give the names.
(Reynaldo G. Navales)
Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on March 8, 2010.
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