SOME 100 poor families from Manila are now lot owners after Mayor Alfredo S. Lim awarded them with home lots under the city’s ‘Land-for-the-Landless Program, bringing the total number of lot awardees under the program to 6,694. 

Assisted by his chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman, city administrator Jesus Mari Marzan and members of the City Tenants and Security Committee, namely, city legal officer Atty. Renato dela Cruz, city assessor Sonia Salmos and urban settlements officer Victoria Clavel, Lim personally handed over to the qualified family beneficiaries the certificates of lot award, some of whom were not able to contain their happiness that they hugged and kissed the mayor. 

Yesterday’s awarding of home lots to indigent residents was the 10th since Lim started his second incumbency as mayor in 2007.

In his short message after the lot awarding, Lim said: “Congratulations sa inyo dahil mabibigyan na kayo ng Certificates of Lot Award at mayroong mabibigyan na ng titulo dahil na-comply na nila ang mga requirements.  Alam naman natin na lahat ng tao, mayaman o mahirap, ay panaginip ang magkaroon ng sariling tahanan, may bahay, may lupa.” 

“Kayo naman, may bahay na kayong ginawa dyan, pero ang lupa hindi sa inyo.  Ngayong araw na ito ay maisasakatuparan na ninyo ang mga pangarap na bahay at lupa.  Inyong-inyo na ’yan. At masasabi ninyo pareho na rin kayo ng mga milyonar-yong maraming bahay bagamat malalawak ang kanilang lupain, kayo man ay mayroon nang masasabing ‘sa akin itong lupang ito at maipamamana ko sa mga anak ko,” Lim added. 

While the home lots are payable in 30 years, Lim told the beneficiaries that they do not have to wait that long if they can fully pay their amortization for the home lots earlier.  

“Ginawa lang 30 years ang bayaran para magaan. ’Yun namang mga nakaaangat, maari kayong magbayad ng biglaan at makukuha na ninyo agad ang titulo,” the mayor said.

Marzan, meanwhile, said that the awardees are required to pay their obligations before they can get hold of their respective titles, as well as comply with all the documentary requirements which will not be difficult, since they will be given free assistance by Clavel’s office.

According to Clavel, the awardees are to pay for the real estate and property taxes as well as produce documents such as birth certificates or death certificates in case the award is being transferred to them.

“After that, if everything had been paid for without arrears, the awardees may claim their title and when that time comes, the beneficiaries may already transfer ownership to their children or grandchildren, should they choose to,” Clavel said.

She also assured that her office will assist the awardees in the said ownership transfer, also free of charge.

The location of the lots awarded are the following: District I, Tondo -- Florencio Reyes Estate (47 awardees);  District II, Tondo II – M.C. Evangelista Property (3 awardees);  District II, Tondo II -- Tayuman Immaculada Property – Phase II (5 awardees);  District III, Sta. Cruz -- San Lazaro (1 awardees);  District IV, Sampaloc, -- Roleval Estate (1 awardee), Sampaloc -- Benito Prieto Estate (1 awardee), Sampaloc – Rita Legarda XI (3 awardees), Rita Legarda VI (6 awardees), Alfonso Tuazon Estate (2 awardees), Albetz Estate (1 awardee);  District V, Paco-Dagonoy Estate (1 awardee), Philippine Columbian (5 awardees),  De Guzman, Saquitan, Dela Cruz Estate (10 awardees);  District VI, Otis -- Aurelio Trinidad and Restua Estate (13 awardees).

Meanwhile, Maribeth Suarez, speaking in behalf of the beneficiaries, tearfully thanked the mayor for helping them acquire a lot they can truly call their own.