ANGELES CITY — It is indeed a merry Christmas for the 230 families in Barangay Margot who were displaced recently.
The 230 displaced families in Barangay Margot are set to receive residential lots in Barangay Sapangbato donated to the city government by the Belvedere Vista Corporation, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by its President Rogelio Morales and Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on Dec. 23, 2021 at the City Council Session Hall.
On the same day, Lazatin distributed ₱7,000 financial assistance from the city government to all 230 families.
Mayor Lazatin said his administration, with the Sangguniang Panlugsod, led by Vice Mayor Vicenta Vega-Cabigting and Local Urban Poor Affairs and Housing Office exhausted all resources to provide relocation and assistance for the affected families.
“Tahimik lang po tayong nagtatrabaho nila Vice Mayor Vega-Cabigting at Councilor Atty. Arvin “Pogs” Suller para masolusyonan ang pangangailangan po ng ating mga kababayan sa Margot,” Lazatin explained.
“Bagamat hindi po natin napigilan ang demolisyon noon sa Margot dahil may order po yan sa Court of Law, mula po noon ay tahimik at walang patid tayong nagtatrabaho upang makahanap ng paraan na mabigyan sila ng libreng relokasyon,” Lazatin said.
The Belvedere Vista Corporation donated a total of 3.9 hectares to the city government as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Under the agreement, the 3.9-hectare land will be subdivided into residential lots for the 230 families. Each family is set to receive 100-square meters.
The taxes, expenses, and costs of transferring the ownership of the property will be shouldered by the city government.
Lazatin also tapped the LUPAHO to coordinate with basic utility companies, in case the beneficiaries will transfer.
“Just in time for Christmas, midinan kaming relocation atin pang abeng financial,” Rochelle Claudio, one of the beneficiaries of the housing program said.
Maribel Aromin, belonging to one of the displaced families, said this is an unexpected blessing, especially for her family who is just renting an apartment.
“Midinan kaming maragul a pag-asa king programa ng Mayor ayni,” Aromin shared.
“Si Mayor ay very matulungin at maaasahan. Nung nanung sinabi na, gagawan na, ali mu purus salita, atsu ya keng gawa. Ikit mi ya at apatunayan,” Aromin said.
Further, Jaime Soriano, a native of Barangay Margot who is also a beneficiary of the housing program, said that with this award of residential lots, his family can be assured of having a home.
“Hindi na kami maghihiwa-hiwalay na pamilya, atin na kaming tuknangan,” Soriano told.
This was also agreed by Lorlyn Cunanan, who said this is a big help for her family, especially the financial assistance.
“On behalf of my family, dakal pung salamat king programang ayni,” Cunanan.
Teresita Esteban, also mentioned that with this housing program of the city, she will be given a chance in life of having a home once again.
Also present during the signing are Vice Mayor Vega-Cabigting, Councilors Atty. Suller, Marino ‘Niknok’ Bañola, Raco Del Rosario, and Dan Lacson, Margot Barangay Captain Jose Bagang, Mayor’s Office Records Chief Jermaine Jam Aguila, LUPAHO staff Rowel Nava, and Patrol Partylist officer Aaron Pineda.
