Sunday, March 16, 2008 Foundation faces land dispute
PORAC -- A local foundation here is now in a difficult situation as the land to which its facilities were built is now being contested.
A certain Cristina Carlos Balayo who claims to own the lots that form part of the foundation's one-hectare land is contesting the Porac Foundation located in Barangay Poblacion of this town.
According to Fr. Resty Lumanlan, one of the founders of the foundation, the land had been developed since 1977 by the foundation, which was able to build sports facilities and quarters in the lots.
Lumanlan narrates that Balayo used to be secretary of the foundation.
He added that Balayo presented herself and her husband, a certain Rodney Balayo, as heirs of part of the lots by tracing their ownership to a certain Clara Balayo.
Cristina had agreed to have the lots formally donated to the foundation. However, in a sudden turn of events, the lots were said to have been mortgaged by Cristina, according to Lumanlan.
"They managed to have the lots titled unscrupulously. We have documents to prove this in the courts," Lumanlan said, adding that the facilities in the foundation's land were twice ruined by Balayo's demolition team.
Lumalan said they have built facilities "in good faith" and these should not have been removed.
"She was persuaded by the mayor of Porac to stop the demolition since the case is still to be heard and that it had evolved into a web of complaints on the part of Cristina," Lumanlan said, adding that he was equally disturbed with the fact that the Lapids of Porac have bought a portion of the estate.
The town utilizes the facilities of the foundation during sports competitions and various presentations yearly. The area also serves as sporting location for elementary schools within the vicinity of the town proper that do not have sports venues.
Fred Lansangan, a 62-year-old resident here, said the lot has been utilized for public use and has been in the good hands of the foundation despite local government's neglect.
"The place serves as the plaza of this town since we do not have an effective convergence point. It is really dubious that it is only now that people have been claiming the lands of the foundation," Langsangan said in vernacular.
He also narrated that Balayo's group has been once stoned by angry townsfolk for what they call as a "travesty of the public property."
He said his group had met with a lawyer to discuss the legalities of the dispute and bring the case to the proper court.
"We worry about this case since we are a foundation and funding has always been a problem," he added. (IOF)
