Tuesday, August 19, 2008 City Council should settle conflict on boundary, 2 bry. captains say By Rene H. Martel Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THOUGH they may have conflicting claims, both the barangay captains of Lahug and Apas agree the Cebu City Council should settle, once and for all, which barangay has jurisdiction over the Asiatown IT Park.
Both also stood pat on their positions that the area falls within their own territory.
Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos said they maintain their claim that the Asiatown IT Park, which used to be the old Lahug airport, falls within the barangay’s territory.
She said that although the City Assessor’s Office said that in its records the place belongs to Apas, it was merely for tax purposes.
What should serve as basis, she said, is the original 1965 map of the City, which shows that the boundary between the two barangays is the Central Command Gate following a straight path toward Archbishop Reyes Ave.
She also mentioned that the map posted in the City Government website shows that the special economic zone is well within Lahug’s turf. The map is a product of the Geographic Information System.
Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman, for his part, said that if Lahug’s claim will be followed, four of Apas’ barangay officials, including him, will be considered Lahug residents.
He said that the IT Park establishments should realize that several Apas officials live nearby, just a block away from their location.
So, they should not be confused as to which barangay they must secure their permits from, Ayuman said.
Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp. (CPVDC) retail business group head Clavel Tongco recently wrote the City Council, informing the body that new establishments aren’t sure which barangay is supposed to issue their permits.
She requested the City Council to issue “a formal statement… as to which barangay has territorial jurisdiction over The Walk” in the park.
The Walk, she said, is a 2,500-square-meter retail development facility housing “19 shopping stores, bars, and restaurants.”
Barangays Lahug and Apas both claim the Asiatown IT Park as part of their territories and sent communications requiring the establishments to secure permits from them.
In its session last week, however, the City Council did not make the “formal statement” and instead referred Tongco’s query to the City Zoning Board.
De los Santos, a vocal leader of the political opposition, said Lahug’s boundary conflicts are part of the administration’s effort to persecute her.
This afternoon, Barangay Lahug officials will meet with Barangay Luz officials for a possible settlement on the claim over the block where the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and the Grand Convention Center stand.
She said that if fairness and the regular process are observed, Lahug will respect whatever the City Council’s decision will be on her barangay’s boundary issues with its neighbors Apas, Luz, Busay and Camputhaw.
But she said the recommendations of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) on her barangay’s boundary conflicts with its neighbors, including Luz and Apas, were tailor-made against Lahug.
Last March, the City Council suggested for Luz and Lahug to settle their conflict over the area where Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and Grand Convention Center stand.
It, however, also approved the committee of three’s decision to adopt the recommendations made by the CPDO, which favored the barangays that Lahug is at odds with.
Barangays Luz, Busay, Apas and Camputhaw are claiming portions of areas that Lahug said are in its territory.
For that, Lahug threatened to ask the court to settle the disagreement.
De los Santos said they will abide by the process, but warned that Lahug will go to court if the City Council will not decide based on the principles of fair play. (RHM)
