By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — In a decisive move aimed at ending decades of uncertainty for hundreds of families in Mayhaligue, the Manila City Council on Monday swiftly approved a P40-million appropriation that will pave the way for the expropriation of private properties and the eventual transfer of ownership to long-time residents and fire victims.
The measure, Ordinance No. 9192, was passed on third and final reading just hours after Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vice Mayor Chi Atienza met with members of the affected community and pledged immediate action to address their long-standing housing concerns.
The approved amount will serve as the initial legal deposit required for the filing of expropriation proceedings, marking the first concrete step toward securing permanent homes for families who have lived in the area for generations but continue to face the threat of displacement.
The ordinance was authored by Councilors Darwin “Awi” Sia, Edward Tan, John Christopher “Bolong” Sy, and Raymundo “Mon” Yupangco and received unanimous support from the 13th City Council led by Vice Mayor Chi Atienza.
Councilor Sia urged his colleagues to support the measure, stressing the hardship endured by residents who have spent decades building their lives in Mayhaligue only to face the constant fear of losing their homes.
For her part, Atienza credited the swift action to Mayor Domagoso’s direct intervention after city officials discovered that a previous ordinance promising expropriation had never been properly funded, leaving residents with little more than assurances and unmet expectations.
According to the vice mayor, the city government acted immediately after learning of the situation, determined to transform years of promises into tangible results.
She emphasized that the allocation represents more than a budgetary measure—it is the beginning of a process intended to return security and stability to families who have long waited for government action.
The rapid approval of the ordinance also highlighted what city officials described as the administration’s commitment to responsive governance, with the City Council moving from deliberation to final approval within the same day following the mayor’s directive.
For the residents of Mayhaligue, the development signals a potential turning point in their struggle for land tenure and permanent housing. After years of uncertainty, the city government has begun taking the legal and financial steps necessary to ensure that the promise of home ownership moves closer to reality.
City officials said the swift passage of the ordinance reflects the administration’s determination to address long-standing community issues through concrete action rather than prolonged deliberation. With expropriation proceedings set to move forward, Mayhaligue families now have renewed hope that the land they have called home for decades may finally become their own.
ia/xf
