Recipients of resettlement project ask city to extend payment period

CEBU, Philippines – Delinquent beneficiaries of the city’s Slum Improvement and Resettlement project in sitio Alaska in barangay Mambaling and in neighboring areas are asking the city to extend the time within which they can pay for their amortizations.

About 40 families that are members of the Alagad nga Lumulupyo Alang sa Kalamboan (Alaska Federation) trooped to City Hall yesterday purposely to speak with Mayor Tomas Osmeña but failed to do so because the mayor was not around.

City Administrator Francisco Fernandez who attended to the families said the city cannot assure that the payment period can be extended. The families were asked to return on Thursday so they can meet with City Hall personnel assigned to the SIR project.

They can also channel to the assigned personnel their request to restructure the payments that have already reached P50,000 to P100,000. 

Fernandez said the beneficiaries are worried because the 25-year period for them to completely pay their amortization will expire December this year.

There are more than 2,000 urban poor families that are beneficiaries of the SIR project, but half of them are delinquent in paying their amortization.

Some of those that went to City Hall yesterday are not beneficiaries of the project and officials of the beneficiaries group are also asking for the city to expand the coverage of SIR.   Fernandez advised them to first consult with their barangay officials. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)