Concludes at the same time that KADAMAY members are not involved in such schemes
(Eagle News) — The national chair of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap on Thursday vowed to investigate reports some of its members who forcibly occupied several housing units in Pandi, Bulacan last year were selling or leasing the units to others.
But before the investigation even started, Gloria Arellano, in an interview over radio dzbb, already denied KADAMAY members were involved in such schemes.
She instead criticized the National Housing Authority for holding press conferences on the matter, noting that agency officials should instead address the needs of those who occupied the units in March.
“As poor people, we also have the right to have electricity, water,” she said.
But Elsie Trinidad, chief of the NHA’s resettlement and development services, stood by her office’s pronouncements, noting that reports have been coming in about the illegal activities even before the video on one came out over the weekend.
She noted that the transactions took place even before a new law that authorizes the NHA to distribute the units intended for personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police was passed by Congress.
“Nakakalungkot talaga. May mga tinatawag na magririsk kahit walang papeles. Rampant talaga na ang iba, kahit walang papeles at rights lang, (nakikipagtransaksyon),” she said.
She said neither the lessor nor the lessee, or the seller nor the buyer, has the right to engage in such transactions.
“Hindi lang sa KADAMAY na walang legal na basehan. Kahit legal awardees. Ginawaran ka ng pamahalaan dahil nangangailangan ka,” she said.
She said according to the law, those who engage in the sale or lease of such units provided by the government to them were called professional squatters.
She said the NHA’s legal department was already studying what charges could be filed against those who were found to have engaged in such transactions.
The agency was already gathering affidavits which she said were necessary for prosecution because of the strategies these unscrupulous individuals resort to to avoid detection.
She noted that in Pandi, for instance, occupants who are asked proof they were awarded the unit simply assume the name of the original awardee.
“We operate in a system where evidence is important,” she said.
On March 8, 6494 KADAMAY members forcibly occupied 5278 units in seven resettlement areas in Bulacan.
Two of those resettlement areas were for uniformed personnel of the AFP and the PNP, and the rest were for informal settlers, the NHA said.