Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Capitol gives out deeds of sale to 93-1 occupants
AFTER 15 years of waiting, some 589 occupants of Capitol-owned lots under Ordinance 93-1 will soon receive their deeds of absolute sale.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday announced that the Provincial Government will be releasing the deeds of absolute sale of the “listed occupants” on Oct. 21 at the Capitol Social Hall.
“At any rate, we have laid a decision for all of those who have paid in full upon the expiration of the term given by 93-1 (Ordinance) on the third extension,” Garcia told a news conference.
Negotiation
The aborted land-swap agreement between the Capitol and City Hall led the Provincial Government to directly negotiate with the occupants.
But two years after Garcia rejected the exchange of Capitol’s properties with City Hall’s North Reclamation Area lot, the beneficiaries have not received contract from the Province.
At least 1,500 of about 4,600 occupants of the Capitol-owned lots threatened to file complaints against Governor Garcia for the alleged delay in the release of the contracts for the properties that they have already fully paid for.
In her news conference yesterday, the governor expressed disappointment for lot occupants who reportedly sought monetary aid from the Cebu City Government for the filing of charges against the Province.
“We will study very, very carefully the different cases of different occupants (of 93-1) lots,” Garcia said.
The informal settlers were given three grace periods to settle their accounts in 1993 to 1998; 1998 to 2001 and 2001 until 2004.
After 2004, several occupants appealed for another extension but the governor declined.
Residence
Garcia reminded the lot owners that the properties they acquired are “to be used as a residence only within the five years after the issuance (of the deed of absolute sale) and not to be sold or converted into commercial purposes.”
They are also required to personally receive the deeds of absolute sale for them also to hear the “admonition from the Provincial Government of Cebu and to adhere to the condition of such sale.”
Those who did not threaten to sue the Provincial Government for the delayed release of lot titles will be treated “kindly,” she said.
But for those who sought help from the City Government, Garcia said, “Go ahead. Make my day…see you in court.”
Occupants set to receive their contracts from Capitol include those in Barangays Lahug, Cebu City with 171 occupants; Camputhaw, 48; Apas, 23; Busay, 9; Mabolo,15; Capitol Site, 18; Kalunasan, 21; Lorega, 7 and Luz, 277. (GMD)
