CONGRESS MOVES TO UNLOCK LAND OWNERSHIP FIASCO AT NGC

DAVAO CITY---- House Committee on Housing and Urban Development Chairman Prospero C. Nograles has announced the filing of a measure that would resolve ownership dispute at the 444-hectare National Government Center (NGC) site at Constitutional Hills, Quezon City.

Nograles said House Bill 3953, otherwise known the National Government Center Housing Act, would finally legitimize the land ownership claim of some 48,500 families who are residing in the area.

Nograles, who co-authored the bill with House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Quezon City Rep. Ismael Mathay III, said that the proposed measure would settle down a contentious land ownership issue involving 422 hectares of government real estate at the 444-hectare National Government Center (NGC).

            The 444-hectare land at Constitutional Hills was reserved as a National Government Center site in 1979 by former President Marcos through presidential Decree No. 1826.

The Davao City solon said that former Presidents Aquino and Ramos issued separate presidential proclamations appropriating 422 hectares of the 444-hectare NGC site for disposition to bona fide residents but their actions were voided by the Supreme Court.

The SC ruled that they cannot amend Marcos’ PD 1826 without a valid act of legislation by Congress. The SC ruling effectively refuses to recognize the land ownership claims of the residents who were beneficiaries of the presidential proclamations issued by Aquino and Ramos.

Nograles said that although the land beneficiaries remained in the area appropriated for them by Aquino and Ramos, they have faced constant uncertainties on whether or not they have a legitimate claim of land ownership.

Through HB 3953, Nograles said the presidential proclamations issued by Ramos and Aquino, which were initially voided by the High Court, will be validated and the family-beneficiaries can lay legitimate claim on the properties awarded to them.

“This would clarify concerns by the beneficiaries that the properties awarded to them stills belong to the government. Through this measure, they are finally assured that their land permanently belongs to them,” Nograles said.