SECRETARY Silvestre Bello III sat down with National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation president Joseph Peter Sison and Vice President Noli de Castro Saturday to negotiate in behalf of homeowners who stand to lose their homes.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, who was in Manila to follow up Bello’s lobby efforts in behalf of Davao City homeowners, said the meeting was set up upon the instructions of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

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"The President asked them to meet and discuss the matter during her visit to Iligan. Secretary Bello already reported about the meeting," Dayanghirang said.

Though the meeting may not be conclusive because it was only intended to craft proposals for Balikatan Housing Finance Inc. (BHFI), which has sent notices of foreclosures to homeowners, Dayanghirang said what is important is that government is finally making a move to address the problem.

This Monday, Bello, Sison, and de Castro are expected to meet with the BHFI board to start the negotiation process.

Local homeowners are aiming for a moratorium on the foreclosures and an affordable payment scheme.