* Group posing as “mobilizers” collects illegal fees
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor has called for an end to the alleged unauthorized collection of association dues and other fees from residents in two relocation areas in the city.
Committee on Ethics and Good Governance chairperson Arnulfo Ricardo Cabling made the call Tuesday during the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum at Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City.
He said the committee has been conducting hearings on complaints involving residents in Barangay Ilang and Purok Kalayaan in Barangay Buhangin of this city.
Cabling said the committee took up the cases as part of its authority to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, particularly when complaints involve alleged fraud, illegal activities, or other unlawful acts.
“One complaint involves residents from the Sta. Lucia area in Barangay Agdao, who was relocated to Barangay Ilang, following an arrangement with a landowner in Agdao and the city government,” Cabling said.
The councilor said the relocation had been planned years ago and was pursued after the residents faced a long legal dispute over their previous location. He said the residents had already transferred to the site.
Cabling said the committee was informed that a group representing itself as a mobilizer was collecting association dues from the relocated residents.
“The group was not authorized to collect such fees because community mobilizers under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) are intended for CMP projects,” Cabling stressed.
He added that residents have the right to organize themselves as an association and do not need a mobilizer unless they choose to seek assistance.
Cabling said the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) indicated that the landowner may have requested the organization’s assistance. However, this still needs to be confirmed.
He said a lawyer representing the landowner told the committee that they would verify whether the landowner had actually requested the organization’s assistance.
Regardless of whether the residents or the landowner requested assistance, Cabling said the organization should not be collecting association dues without proper authority.
Another complaint concerns residents in Purok Kalayaan, Barangay Buhangin, where a property was reportedly being represented as belonging to Paramount Finance Corporation.
Cabling said he advised residents to first verify the property documents, including titles and tax declarations, before taking steps toward any possible purchase or settlement.
He said an individual claiming to be an overseer of the property, accompanied by a lawyer and a geodetic engineer, had already conducted a survey and was collecting P10,000 from each occupant.
“Residents were reportedly given only two months to raise the amount,” the councilor said.
Cabling questioned the collection, saying the residents should first obtain an intent-to-sell from the actual landowner and formally organize themselves as an association.
The councilor said any survey should initially determine the existing structures and help planners assess how the property could eventually be divided while complying with requirements for roads and open spaces.
Cabling also questioned an alleged agreement requiring residents who fail to pay the P10,000 to leave the property voluntarily. He said occupants cannot simply be removed without a proper court order.
The councilor also raised concerns about an affidavit allegedly authorizing the association president to act under a special power of attorney in negotiations.
According to residents involved, Cabling said, there is also another document stating that they would voluntarily leave if they could not pay the P10,000. They were also allegedly charged P2,000 for the affidavit.
“For me, this is fraud. This is illegal,” Cabling said, stressing that the committee is investigating these complaints to prevent further collections from the complainants.
Cabling urged residents to report similar incidents to the City Council so authorities can investigate and take appropriate action against those who may be illegally collecting money.
The councilor said the committee will continue its hearings to verify the complaints, determine whether the collections were authorized, and identify those responsible.
Cabling said that if the investigation finds evidence of fraud, illegal collection, or other violations, the committee will recommend filing appropriate charges.
