Yolanda housing in Sta. Fe: Revalidation of beneficiaries on

CEBU, Philippines — Despite opposition, the revalidation of beneficiaries of 1,000 units of Yolanda housing project in Santa Fe in Bantayan Island will push through.

Councilor Jayson Repaso said the Beneficiary Selection, Awards and Arbitration Committee (BSAAC) and Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) chaired by Mayor Ithamar Espinosa already agreed upon the revalidation.

Espinosa convened the BSAAC and LIAC last week upon the recommendation of the National Housing Authority to resolve the issues raised by the housing occupants.

Around 1,000 household beneficiaries of the Yolanda housing project in Santa Fe asked the Office of the Ombudsman to look into the action of Espinosa to revalidate their qualification.

Repaso said the move came after Espinosa won as mayor following complaints that a lot of individuals were being accommodated by then mayor Jose Esgana who chaired the BSAAC and LIAC prior to the May 13, 2019 elections.

“Sakitan mi kay daghan way balay wa unaha pagpapuyo,” Repaso told The Freeman.

Before the elections, Repaso requested three times, through a resolution of the municipal council, the list of housing beneficiaries for verification but he got no reply.

They even requested NHA and the Office of the President to hold in abeyance the distribution of housing units during the campaign period, he said.

When Espinosa won and assumed office on July 1, 2019, Repaso said, it was only the time that they were able to access the list.

“Paglingkod na namo, ang presidente sa BSAAC confirmed nga wa niagi sa iya ang ubang beneficiaries maong ni-suggest mi okey ba to revalidate,” Repaso said.

It was also found out that the housing project is not yet turned over by NHA to the local government unit contrary to the claim of Esgana during the campaign.

Repaso said the town council is set to pass a resolution authorizing Espinosa to sign the deed of acceptance between the NHA in order to effect the revalidation.

Repaso also clarified report that Espinosa held all requests for connections of electricity and water because of the lack of papers of the occupants pending turnover of their units.

Espinosa earlier reported to NHA certain individuals who have been conducting “unofficial meetings and activities” to beneficiaries of the housing project in Barangay Maricaban “which are still subject for revalidation.” — JMD (FREEMAN)