LAOAG CITY: The provincial government of Ilocos Norte announced Wednesday that an initial amount of PHP300 million is ready for release for the payment of lots for the expansion of the Laoag International Airport this year.
Lawyer Athena Nicolette Pilar, acting general manager of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), assured on Wednesday the payment of lots based on appraised value will be given to lot owners as soon as all the documentary requirements such as proof of ownership have been complied with.
‘We have a directive from the governor to protect the interest of the lot owners at all cost. That is why we conducted a public consultation with them last weekend to explain all the needed requirements and the importance of expanding the Laoag airport. Those who completed the requirements of the land acquisition to the provincial government will be paid this week,’ Pilar said in a media interview.
‘We were assured to get our check payment five days after submission of complete documents,’ said Fernando Ma
lapit, one of the heirs of a 35,428 sqm lot, and one of the two lot owners due for payment this week.
Pilar said several lot owners have encountered some financial difficulties in securing the pertinent documents for the deed of sale so they requested that a ‘loan program’ be made available to them by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the loan amount will just be deducted once they receive their lot payment.
‘The possibility of loan program for the processing of documents is now being lobbied with the DOTr and we hope that this will be granted with the help of the governor,’ she said.
To process the lot acquisition by the provincial government, Moises Menor, one of the owners of a lot in the village of Calayab here, said his family wanted to sell the property but he has no extra money to shoulder the processing fees.
‘It’s hard to sell an inherited lot as it is our remembrance from our forefathers. I hope the government can help us in the processing of documents,’ he said.
Pedro Mateo, owner of
a lot jn the village of Apaya, said the expansion of the Laoag airport is important to allow bigger aircraft to land safely.
‘I am willing to sell my property for the development of the province,’ he said in an interview after the August 3 public dialogue with lot owners, heirs, and representatives affected by the airport expansion project.
The DOTr is eyeing for at least 82 hectares airport expansion this year.
Source: Philippines News Agency
