By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Department of Public Lands’ homestead division has given homesteaders on its watch list six months to fully comply with the terms and conditions of their permits.
The grace period was supposed to be for four months only, but division director Jerome K. Aldan said he wants to give homesteaders more time.
Failure to comply will result in the revocation of the homestead permit.
When the homestead division conducted an inspection of lots on Jan. 29, it learned that recipients were having a hard time building their houses, especially low-income individuals.
The homestead division, Aldan said, wants to take this matter into consideration.
“So, we’ll give them six months to comply,” he said.
Aldan said some homesteaders may have already received notices of the intention to revoke their homestead permits which were issued in the past few weeks.
But this does not mean that the division will revoke the permits right away, he added.
At least 26 homesteaders are facing revocation of their permits.
Aldan said the homestead division has repeatedly reminded lot recipients about the “CBS” rule — clean, build and stay — which they have to follow to keep their homestead lots.
When the division inspectors visited the lots in Kagman last month, they found almost all of them were being neglected.
Aldan said only one lot passed the inspection and its recipient was complying with the terms and conditions of the permit.
The homestead division issued notices of intention to revoke the permits of 26 homesteaders.
He said two of the homestead lots they inspected had houses built on them, but no occupants.
The homesteaders also have to occupy the houses or they face revocation, Adan said.
Ten other lots need further improvements, he added.
Homestead recipients are permitted to enter, use and improve the land which will eventually be theirs if they comply with the homestead laws, rules and regulations.