41 informal settlers receive lots from Manila gov’t

Another batch of informal settlers were given a piece of land to call their own in awarding ceremonies held at Manila City Hall Monday.

A total of 41 families from Tondo, Sampaloc, Sta. Cruz and Sta. Ana districts benefited from the city government’s Land for the Landless program under which they would pay for their lots in 30 years.

Depending on the size of the property and its location, the families will pay from P200 to P1,000 monthly, urban settlements officer Victoria Clavel said in an interview with the Inquirer.

Once the lots are fully paid for, the beneficiaries can apply for the actual land title. In Monday’s turnover, two families were presented with the final deed of sale as they had finished paying for the property awarded to them.

The lots being handed out are located in Padre Ortega, Bayan Vescoda and Samia Estates in Tondo; Benito Prieto, Alfonso Tuazon, Rosarito, Teresa I and IV, Roleval, Alpadi, Rita Legarda X and XI Estates in Sampaloc; Aurelio Trinidad and Monserrat Estates in Sta. Mesa; and Glorimart Estate in Sta. Ana.

So far, 108 families have benefited from the program this year.

Since 2007, 1,449 lots have been awarded under the Land for the Landless program.