Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Homeowners to discuss transfer of low-cost housing to Balikatan
A TOTAL of 120 presidents of homeowners associations in Davao City will meet on Thursday to tackle issues and concerns plaguing the low-cost housing industry.
In an interview with reporters Monday, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, City Council majority floor leader, said the main issue in the housing industry today is the taking over of the Balikatan Housing Financial Inc., a subsidiary of the German-based Deutsche Bank.
"Low-cost housing is a government's program. Balikatan destroys the program of the government. The interest in the original contract is only nine percent, but with Balikatan handling the contract, it's already 14 percent. I really pity the homeowners because they cannot afford it," Dayanghirang said.
The Balikatan has taken over low-cost housing projects that have been delinquent in paying their amortizations.
"During the meeting this week, we will see in the records who really authorized the transfer of the responsibility to Balikatan," Dayanghirang said.
He added that he already filed a complaint and that Balikatan was already summoned by the Ombudsman.
"This has to be investigated. Kung nahihirapan na ang gobyerno na mag-collect ng payments, it should be referred to the Congress and the responsibility should not be transferred to a private institution," Dayanghirang said.
Dayanghiran said that in Davao City, ownership of about 9,000 housing units have been transferred to Balikatan. These are located in San Lorenzo Village, El Rio, Rosalina, Kadayawan, and Country Homes. (JGRS)
