Kadamay members refuse contract requiring them to pay P200/mo. for occupied houses —NHA

The National Housing Authority on Wednesday said some members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) have reportedly refused to sign their contracts obligating them to pay for the houses provided by the government, despite being eligible to own the units.

"Ayaw po nilang lumagda doon sa kontrata o sinasabing loan documentation," NHA spokesperson Elsie Trinidad said in an Unang Balita interview.

Asked if refusing to sign the contract would be akin to refusing to pay for the houses, Trinidad said: "You could say that."

She, however, noted that Kadamay members have always advocated for free housing from the government.

"Nalulungkot kami kung mayroon na namang banta na gano'n [na mag-occupy na naman]. Ngunit hindi naman po kami nagpabaya. Kailangan lang po nating tanggapin din 'yung mga sinasaad ng batas. Ito po ay hindi lang pamantayan ng NHA, ngunit ito po ay universal, pangkabuuan na requirement sa mga ginagawaran ng bahay," Trinidad said.

Her statement came as Kadamay threatens to take over other government housing units left unoccupied in the country.

Trinidad said the terms and conditions in the contracts indicate that qualified beneficiaries of the "socialized housing" units are required to pay P200 per month in the first five years.

She said increases in payment will occur every five years, which will take up to 30 years until the beneficary could pay the remaining balance.

"Kami ay nakikidayalogo din sa kanila ngunit talagang malinaw na kailangan din pong may obligasyon ito, hindi po libre, at hinihikayat pa rin po namin sila na makipag-ugnayan sa amin at daanin natin ayon sa itinatakda ng batas," Trinidad said.

On May 9, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the congressional resolution authorizing the NHA to award unoccupied housing units to other qualified beneficiaries, including informal settlers and formal sector employees with low salaries.

The houses were left unoccupied by personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

But even before the resolution was signed, Trinidad said the NHA had already begun screening the Kadamay members occupying the AFP and PNP housing projects, and process them for eligibility requirements.

She said the NHA waited for the resolution to grant the units to those already qualified and others who are previous applicants.

"Nakipag-ugnayan na po kami sa mga LGUs para 'yon pong mga kanila ring karapat-dapat maproseso na rin ang kanilang mga aplikante. Kasi po naaayon sa joint resolution, kailangan pa pong ikumpirma ng aming board within 60 days 'yun pong guidelines, kasi po ito ay joint resolution, so meron ding tinatawag na rules and regulations," Trinidad said. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News