The latest batch of 26 homeowners, who have fully-paid the amortization of their house and lot, recently signed the deed of sale of real property with Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and officials of iHome Metro Dumaguete Inc., formerly the Dumaguete City Habitat for Humanity Inc.
Thirteen of the homeowners, who were able to fully pay for their amortization, are from Balugo II Habitat, 11 from Balugo I Habitat, one from Candau-ay Habitat, and one from Candau-ay Mother Rita.
Any homeowner of the housing project of iHome that can pay their amortization in full can request for a deed of sale of real property so that they can own their house and lot for good, the city said in a press release May 8.
Remollo is fully supportive of the different socialized housing projects in the city to provide decent and affordable homes to needy residents, as well as the relocation to the Banilad Plainsview Housing Project of those who were victims of Typhoon Sendong and those residing near flood-prone areas for their safety.
Aside from Remollo, other officials present during the signing ceremony May 2 were Councilor Jose Baldado, iHome Metro Dumaguete president Gregorio Uymatiao, members of the Board of Trustees including Atty. Pearl Estacion, Councilor Franklin Esmeña Jr., Engr. Richard Lao, Leovigildo Elmaco, Marilou Kho, and Concepcion Martinez.
Meanwhile, the city said that in just 16 months, about 13,696 residents have already benefited from the local government’s financial assistance programs for hospitalization, burial assistance for senior citizens, and to defray the cost of maintenance, laboratory, chemotherapy, dialysis, and other medical needs of recipients.
The Office of the Mayor said the various financial assistance programs of the LGU, through the City Social Welfare Office, benefitted constituents, including fire victims, from the 30 component barangays, in line with the thrust of the administration of providing maximum social services and assistance to needy residents.
In the first four months this year, the number of beneficiaries of financial assistance programs already reached 3,811 individuals, with 1,698 recipients of aid to families in crisis situation; 1,297 for emergency and public assistance; payment of bills for the hospitalization of 646 patients in the SUMC, Holy Child, Polymedic, and Ace Doctors, and burial assistance for the next of kin of 170 deceased senior citizens.
For the whole of 2024, the number of beneficiaries totaled 9,885 individuals, with 3,333 recipients of aid to families in crisis situation; 3,948 for emergency and public assistance; payment of bills for the hospitalization of 2,050 patients in the four private hospitals, and burial assistance for the next of kin of 554 deceased elderly, the city said.
Credit also goes to the city’s taxpayers, who religiously paid their dues so that the local government can provide financial assistance to the needy citizens, Remollo said, adding that his office is always open to those who will request aid, provided that they are able to comply with all the requirements as the administration works to ensure that appropriate funds are available to support those in need of help. ||
