VP De Castro to lot beneficiaries: Do not pawn your CELA
Vice president Noli de Castro asked the 308 Ilonggo informal dwellers not to pawn their Certificates of Eligibility for Land Allocation (Cela) as their grandchildren could reap the fruits of effort they initiated in having the property.
De Castro told the beneficiaries that having a piece of property to settle is considered a "pamana" (inheritance) to their children. It will bring joy not only to the named beneficiaries but to the future generations.
The Vice President also encouraged the beneficiaries to work with the concerned agencies for the reblocking of the occupied land and repayment scheme after receiving their certificates. The beneficiaries should be diligent and patient in paying their dues before acquiring the title.
He also hopes that the next time he comes back to Iloilo City, the Cela beneficiaries will already be given each of their individual land title after completing their payments.
Having in their possession a Cela gives the beneficiaries the right to occupy and introduce improvements of their respective home lot after a period of six months.
The certificate is one of the prerequisites for them to obtain a land title for the occupied lot. It will assure them of security for the property.
Of the 308 beneficiaries, 227 are from the different associations, namely, MV Lot 62 Community Association, Barangay Bonifacio Tanza Urban Poor Association, Kaayuhan Association, MH Del Pilar Association, Barangay San Vicente and Sta. Fe Homeowners Association. They acquired their CELA through the Community Mortgage Program (CMP).
The remaining 81 beneficiaries were from Barangay Caingin, Lapaz that was declared as socialized housing project through Presidential Proclamation 419.
Vice President De Castro along with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog, Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. and National Housing Authority General Manager Federico Laxa attended the ground breaking ceremony of the P35 million Iloilo Disaster core shelter housing project at the San Isidro, Jaro relocation site.
Officials of the Habitat for Humanity and other non-government organizations were also present during the activity.
The Vice President and the different officials also handed the government's initial help to 142 beneficiaries of the Katas ng VAT Tulong kay Lolo at Lola held at the Jaro gymnasium.