Manila eyes amnesty for delinquent land occupants

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada. EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Manila City government would be forgoing around P30 million in unpaid amortization under a proposed amnesty program for land beneficiaries.

Under draft Ordinance No. 7834, the city will waive the penalties and charges for delinquent beneficiaries of the Land for the Landless program (LLP) who have outstanding amortization payments for more than three consecutive months.

According to Danny Isiderio, chief of the city’s Urban Settlements Office (USO), delinquent beneficiaries will have to pay only the principal amortization fees for the awarded lot once the ordinance is passed.

Mayor’s appeal to council

Out of 98 estates managed by the USO, 61 have occupants who are having problem paying the monthly amortization. By clearing their deficiencies, the ordinance aims to jumpstart their payments of monthly amortization and eventually clear their total obligation under the LLP.

Mayor Joseph Estrada has appealed to the city council to hasten the passage of the draft ordinance, saying condonation is necessary to ease the burden on LLP beneficiaries who belong to the urban poor.

“These delinquencies and delayed payments could be because some beneficiaries prefer instead to part with their hard-earned money on expenses like food, clothing, and schooling,” Estrada said.

The LLP aims to provide landless and homeless residents of Manila with decent and affordable homes and lots through expropriation.—MARIEJO S. RAMOS