A COMPLAINT will be filed against a former official of Cebu City's Slum Improvement and Resettlement (SIR) program for refusing to turn over crucial documents needed to process land titles for 1,800 beneficiaries.

Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) Executive Director Ronald Anthony “Butch” Librando revealed that the department is preparing legal action after the former SIR head repeatedly failed to provide essential records.

These missing documents include financial ledgers, subdivision plans, and receipts, which are necessary for various transactions.

He said in an interview with the Cebu City News, these records are essential to verify payments and plot the land titles for the residents who have long been waiting for this process to be completed.

The affected areas include the barangays of Pasil, Suba, Sawang Calero, and Sitio Alaska in Mambaling.

Despite numerous requests, the former official did not fully comply, conditioning the release of the documents on the approval of his retirement clearance.

Librando refused to identify the former SIR chief pending the official filing of the complaint.

In response, Librando ordered his administrative officer to withhold the clearance until the complete turnover of records.

Although the official eventually submitted some documents, Librando confirmed they were incomplete and insufficient for processing the land titles.

The official retired last month, just before turning 65, without completing the turnover.

Librando warned that without the missing documents, the process of issuing titles to beneficiaries who have paid for their properties could be significantly delayed.

DWUP is also working on implementing rules and regulations for City Ordinance 2521, which aims to improve the SIR program.

The ordinance will establish a task force, oversight committee, and an arbitration and grievance committee to manage the program and address beneficiary concerns.

In the meantime, SIR beneficiaries have raised complaints over the delays in receiving their titles.

Floro Enricoso, president of the Alliance of SIR Beneficiaries Association (ASIRBA), reported that many beneficiaries have completed their payments but have yet to obtain their titles. He also criticized the SIR office for poor record-keeping.

ASIRBA’s 2009 data shows that 43 percent of beneficiaries have fully paid for their properties, but only 30 percent have received their titles.

DWUP is now working to secure the necessary documents and expedite the titling process.(MyTVCebu)

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• #Cebu City
• #Slum Improvement and Resettlement Program
• #Land Titles
• #Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor