Protect OFWs against home development scams
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) commonly cite two reasons for leaving their families to work abroad: housing and education. They want to own a house and give their children a good education.
Donna Dominguez-Cargullo, desk supervisor of dzIQ-Radyo Inquirer and wife of an OFW in Malaysia wrote to complaint that some housing developers do not deliver on their promises:
Donna complained about the developer of two housing projects in Rodriguez (Montalban) Rizal. Landworks Asia Incorporated is the Developer of Monte Brissa and Fiorenza projects both located in Rodriguez. The company is allegedly owned by a certain Czarina Garcia.
“Upon paying the full equity or 30 percent down payment of our unit, Landworks Asia failed to build our unit in the Fiorenza project, specifically located at Block 3 Lot 9,” she said.
She also said “Unit owners are having a hard time communicating and reaching Landworks’ staff or officials to answer questions and address our concerns. They always find ways to avoid answering phone calls as well as SMS. They even fail to return calls.”
There was one instance, she said, when Landworks Asia moved to another office without even informing their clients. “Some of us just found a way to locate their new office,” she added.
“Such acts and the lack of services are not fair, since we never fail to pay our monthly equity even if they are not giving us concrete information as to when they will start and complete the construction of the unit. In addition to this, we are unaware of the status of their business which makes us more worried,” she continued.
“We also found out that their former manager, Miss Ana Menci tendered her resignation so our complaints were handled by the new Manager, one Maricris Tuazon. But upon calling Landworks last May 14, 2012, we were informed that Miss Tuazon also decided to leave.”
“All we want is security, development and a target date for unit completion and occupancy. As well as the penalty or sanction that will be given to the developer if the committed date is not met. We have invested most of our money on this and we don’t want to lose everything.”
“We started paying since June of 2009 and have already paid more than P800,000. It is more than three years now, since we started the payment.”
“In the event that Landworks Asia will still fail to start the construction, we want a total and one-time refund of our payment,” she said.
Donna and her husband put down their hard earned money. Her husband has sacrificed so much working overseas. Donna who is also a working mom, sacrificed too. After all this, the couple hope again live together as a family in a new house.
Imagine how they feel to think that their dream house may be just a scrap of paper, a mere drawing!
Bantay OCW immediately brought the case to the Housing & Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). According to Atty. Marife Dublada, both parties are scheduled to meet after the holidays for initial investigation.
In the spirit of fairness and justice, the developers should return all the money plus interest to their mainly OFW clients. This would not even make up for trouble and pain they have caused.
This is to personally call the attention of our Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns and Housing czar, Vice President Jejomar Binay, to take immediate actions on cases like these. Many OFW families could be victims of greedy and opportunist developers.
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Susan Andes, aka Susan K. is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990 dzIQ AM, Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon & 12:30-2:00 p.m. with audio/video live streaming: www.dziq.am Studio: 2/F MRP Bldg., Mola St., cor. Pasong Tirad St., Makati City PTV 4, every Friday, 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. & GMA News TV International
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