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Friday, February 16, 2007
Gunpoint demand, Capitol gripes
By Linette C. Ramos and Minerva B. Gerodias
CEBU CITY -- Aware that a looming conflict between Capitol and Cebu City officials could further stall the land swap deal, beneficiaries of the exchange of properties decided to seek President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's help Saturday.
Luz Barangay Councilor Nida Cabrera, a beneficiary of Provincial Ordinance 93-1, said the lot swap seems to have been held hostage by Capitol and City Hall, and they fear it will no longer push through.
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"If there is pressure on both parties, we hope it will not abort the land swap deal. We hope they will reach an agreement, because that's the only way we can acquire these lots," she told Sun.Star Cebu.
Cabrera's household is one of the 5,000 families who stand to benefit from the land swap agreement, which covers Province-owned lots in 11 Cebu City barangays.
The local dispute will test President Arroyo's ability to balance conflicting interests among her allies in Cebu. Most political leaders in Cebu have said they will endorse "selectively" instead of supporting the administration's entire ticket for the Senate.
Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia said the residents who are affected by the lot swap are free to talk to President Arroyo if she can spare time for them.
But he added that the President has always steered clear of local issues, and "I don' think she'll make an exception this time."
Instead of swapping the lots with the City Government's 3.6-hectare property worth P400 million as stated in the original agreement, Capitol now wants a "value for value" exchange deal.
Capitol claims its properties are worth P3 billion.
Rally issue
Cabrera said the beneficiaries understand that City Hall will not be able to afford the P3 billion that Capitol is asking for.
They also anticipate that the City will pass on to the beneficiaries whatever increase there will be in the value of properties City Hall will have to give up just to implement the land swap agreement.
"Amo na gyud ng gi-anticipate na dili gyud na makaya sa City Government ang P3 billion and eventually, kami lang gihapon ang mobayad ana. But there's no way we can afford it. We couldn't even afford to pay the old rates, what more if we go for a value for value swap?" she pointed out.
While officials of the Province and City are still deciding, Cabrera said they will refrain from visiting Capitol and City Hall to follow up on the matter, especially before the May 14 elections.
The beneficiaries, though, hope to give President Arroyo a letter during the Team Unity's campaign rally at the Cebu City Coliseum on Saturday.
"Mentras init pa ang Province ug City, mohilom na lang usa mi (While the Province and City are still heated, we will keep silent)," Cabrera said.
'Snag'
Instead, the group will ask President Arroyo to intervene and request both Capitol and City Hall to proceed with the lot swap, using the original proposal, she added.
They are optimistic that senatorial candidate Michael Defensor, former Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chairman, will be able to help them since he is aware of their problem.
The beneficiaries are worried that they will eventually be evicted from the provincial lots they are occupying if the lot swap negotiations are aborted.
A recent resolution at City Hall, however, threatens a project on a Province-owned lot in Banilad, Cebu City.
The council has approved a resolution asking the planning office to withhold the approval of new malls, schools and similar developments in the Banilad-Talamban area, while the office studies the traffic situation there.
Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. drafted the resolution.
Changed
As a result, the Cebu City Government's request for a lot swap has now become a "demand at gunpoint." If the lot swap hits another snag, this time it will because of Pe's resolution, said Capitol consultant Garcia.
"Kon hangyo, hangyo. Kon lugos, lugos," said Garcia, younger brother of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Pe's resolution cited traffic as the reason the Banilad project may be stopped. But it's also seen as one way Cebu City can put pressure on the Capitol to proceed with the lot swap on the City's terms.
Capitol is expected to earn at least P2 billion in assets if the multi-purpose commercial complex and hotel in Banilad, called Ciudad, will push through.
Garcia said the lot swap deal would have been finalized in a few days.
"But the resolution has changed everything. From a request, it becomes a demand with a gun pointed at the Province of Cebu. It is very un-Cebuano," Garcia added.
Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. is calling on Cebu City officials to realize the benefit Ciudad can give to the city.
"We are not elected to serve our pride, to serve our own interests, but to serve our people," Sanchez said. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (February 16, 2007 issue)
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