Rama, foundation welcome Binay offer

A SOLUTION may be in the horizon in the ongoing row between Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the displaced Mahiga Creek settlers.

The Pagtambayayong Foundation, which filed an administrative case against Rama and three other officials for the ongoing demolition at the creek, said the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) proposed by Vice President Jejomar Binay is a sound proposal.

Pagtambayayong president Francisco Fernandez said he is amenable to Binay’s proposal which the vice president disclosed to local media in his Cebu City visit last Friday.

The foundation is one of several proponents of the CMP.

“There are a lot of programs if only the mayor has the political will  to help the settlers,” Fernandez told Cebu Daily News.

The administrative case was filed by Pagtambayayong in behalf of the settlers before the Ombudsman-Visayas last Friday.

More charges are being readied against the mayor in the coming days, Fernandez said.

Rama, who said he will explain his side in todays press conference, ’was also open to Binay’s proposal.

“I feel better about Binay because he would talk to me rather than sue me. Unlike other people who instead of talking to me sued me. I’m happy that Binay introduced a solution. I would welcome any proposed talks to him,” Rama said.

CMP is part of the government’s Unified Home Lending Program under the auspices of the National Home Mortgage Corp. or Pag-Ibig.

It allows beneficiaries to become homeowners by forming themselves into a community and applying for a group mortgage for off-site and on-site arrangements.

The on-site projects allow illegal settlers to buy the lots they occupy from the owner.

The off-site projects involve relocation to another area.