The City Planning and Development Office said that the Regional Task Force Against Illegal Real Estate Practices in Davao Region is eyeing the imposition of disciplinary actions against professionals whose signatures are involved in the sale of raw lots.
CPDO Head Engr. Ivan Cortez, in an interview on the Davao City Disaster Radio Tuesday said that the Task Force came up with such a method to protect the people from buying raw lots, which do not have the necessary government permits for housing development.
“Ang PRC involved siya sa Task Force para ang professional involved in the signing of documents relating to raw lots matagaan ug disciplinary action or maybe cancellation or revocation of license. Kadtong mga realtor nato, geodetic engineers tanan nga mga professionals na ni-reflect ang ilahang pirma nga gi-present sa selling of raw lots (The PRC is involved so that the professionals involved in the signing of the documents relating to the raw lots will be given disciplinary action or maybe cancellation or revocation of license. The realtors, geodetic engineers and all the professionals whose signatures are reflected in the selling of the raw lots),” Cortez said.
He said that the involvement of licensed professionals is the main reason why many people are convinced about buying raw lots.
Cortez said that the sale of raw lots usually involve a mother title but it cannot be subdivided because it is usually classified as agricultural and there is a lack of documents. Usually, before the subdivision of lots is allowed, the Register of Deeds would look for the approved subdivision plan, a Development Permit approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), and the License to Sell from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The number of complaints stemming from raw lots, Cortez said, has increased to an average of 80-100 cases per year in 2020-2021 as compared to an average of 4-5 per year before the pandemic.
“It really increased at the time of the pandemic,” he said.
He said that they have also tapped the Davao City Business Bureau to track down businesses that register for other lines of business while selling raw lots. The Anti-Scam Unit of Davao City is also involved in the Regional Task Force.
Cortez advised people who are buying raw lots to check with their office if the classification of lots being sold is residential and also check with the DHSUD whether there is already a License to Sell or if it is legitimate and not forged.
The CPDO can be contacted through telephone numbers 241-1000 or message their Official
