‘Kadamay selling housing units’

 MALOLOS , Philippines  — Members of the militant urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) are reportedly selling or putting up for rent housing units awarded to them by the government.

Kadamay members who have not found job opportunities near government housing projects are involved in the sale of the units, some of the beneficiaries in Bocaue and Guiguinto towns in Bulacan who refused to be identified told The STAR yesterday.

Sources said unfinished housing units are being sold for as low as P15,000 while completed units are sold for P30,000 to P50,000.

One of the occupants admitted that she bought her unit from a beneficiary for P30,000. Another occupant said several beneficiaries have put up their units for rent for P1,500 to P3,000 per month.

Marcelino Escalade Jr., NHA general manager, said they have confirmed reports that some Kadamay members have sold the housing units awarded to them.

The NHA had obtained a video which showed a Kadamay member supposedly trying to sell a unit in Barangay Sitio Cacarong Bata, Pandi.

Escalade said they would re-award these housing units  to qualified beneficiaries, including public school teachers, government employees and informal settlers starting March 1.

A report on GMA News quoted the NHA as warning beneficiaries of government housing projects that they could not pawn, sell or rent out the property.

President Duterte allowed Kadamay members to stay in the houses they occupied in Pandi last year.

Kadamay members occupied close to 6,000 of the more than 10,000 housing units in the town.