Friday, July 13, 2007 Capitol eyes Busay teachers’ land
AS PART of its move to use Capitol properties, the Provincial Government will clarify the status of 33 hectares of land in Busay, Cebu City, which the Cebu Public School Teachers Association (CPSTA) failed to pay for in full.
Lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda, Capitol consultant on information and revenue generation, said the Capitol entered into an agreement with the CPSTA when Vicente de la Serna was governor of Cebu from 1992-1995.
Of the P66 million that both parties agreed on, the association was able to pay only P34 million.
The area is supposed to be developed as a teachers’ village, which never materialized.
But Sepulveda said the Capitol will respect the agreement the Province made with the teachers’ association and the vision for such a village, which he said could be a showcase in Cebu.
Halfway
Sepulveda, Provincial Attorney Marino Martinquilla and other Capitol officials met with CPSTA representatives.
Sepulveda said they will explore the possibility of meeting halfway with the association where both the teachers and the Province’s interests could be protected.
“We will look at all areas to solve this. We will assess as to what extent of development they have made and what the Capitol can do to help,” said Sepulveda.
Martinquilla begged off from disclosing the details, but they are thinking of a scheme where the Capitol can get more than the balance of P32 million.
Across the board
Sepulveda said the Capitol is not selective in its effort to use its properties that have been left idle or occupied by other entities for many years.
Among those who already agreed to transfer their offices are the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, the National Science and Technology Board and the Population Commission.
They also reiterated that even if they are moving to recover lots occupied by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 beneficiaries who failed to pay, the occupants will not be left without a roof over their heads.
The Capitol already started talks with the 93-1 residents. (JPM)
