BUTUAN CITY — A Certificate of Lot Award (CoLA) may not yet be a land title, but for hundreds of families, it represents a significant step toward permanent housing security. On May 12, more than 500 families from 14 barangays and relocation communities received their CoLAs during a ceremony held in Barangay Doongan. For many recipients who had spent years worrying about displacement, the certificates brought a sense of stability and hope for the future.
Hope Delivered to Doongan
Among the beneficiaries was Mary Ann Figura of Barangay Bancasi, who experienced the hardship of losing her home after the owner of the land they occupied reclaimed the property. Since then, her family had lived with the fear of another eviction. During the Committee on Lot Awards Meeting and Mass Awarding Ceremony led by Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, Figura finally received the document that marked a turning point in her family's journey. “I am so happy that the city government saw our struggles and difficulties. Our previous house was demolished when the landowner wanted to use the property. The city government allocated a 120-square-meter lot to us on June 2, 2021, and after five years of waiting, I am finally holding our Certificate of Lot Award,” she said.
From Document to Dignity
The CoLA serves as official proof that recipients are recognized beneficiaries of government-awarded residential lots. It also serves as the foundation for obtaining a tax declaration and eventually securing a formal land title. For many families, the certificate is far more than a legal document, it represents security, dignity, and the realization of a long-awaited goal. Mayor Fortun reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to providing housing opportunities for qualified residents. “The city government of Butuan will continue striving to ensure that families in need of homes and lots will be provided with them, as long as proper protocols are followed,” he stated.
Building Safer Communities for Butuanons
Mayor Fortun also encouraged beneficiaries to comply with responsible payment arrangements, emphasizing that through the City Housing and Homesite Development Department (CHHDD), the city will continue implementing a fair and organized system for lot allocation. The initiative helps safeguard the rights of qualified recipients while promoting a more secure housing environment for Butuanons. With assistance from partner agencies, the city government likewise plans to strengthen and further develop more than 100 relocation communities throughout the city, reinforcing its long-term commitment to creating safer and more stable communities for residents.
