Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Book about history of controversial Cabatangan launched
THE historical, cultural, political and legal issues concerning the controversial Cabatangan property can now be accessed through a book entitled "This Land...Cabatangan."
Authored by distinguished Zamboanguena lawyer Lidinila Reyes, the book's first edition was formally launched Thursday afternoon at a local hotel with Mayor Celso Lobregat and Senator Richard Gordon as guests.
In her message, Reyes said objective of the publication of the book is to enlighten the readers on the contentious issues that make Cabatangan a highly controversial issue.
Reyes cited Mayor Celso Lobregat as an active player in the history of Cabatangan, for various reasons foremost of which is his authorship of the provision in the Expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) law that mandated the sale of all Armm properties located in cities or provinces that opted to be outside of the Armm jurisdiction.
Cabatangan, which used to be the satellite office of the Armm, is originally intended to be a government center.
The City Government, since the time of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, has a pending request in Malacanang for the purchase of the Armm property. A portion of the Cabatangan land called Lot 69, the area leading to the Armm property, has already been purchased by the city from private lot owners over a year ago.
Reyes hoped the book "This Land...CABATANGAN" would help illuminate the hazy issues revolving around the Cabatangan property.
As this developed, Mayor Lobregat commended Reyes for her initiative in coming up with the book and hoped it would lead to the resolution of the pending purchase request of the Cabatangan property by the City Government of Zamboanga.
To help support the publication of the book, Lobregat contributed P50,000 to ensure that more people would get copies of the very important reading material.
Gordon, who was in the city to assess the relief operations in Basilan and Sulu in his capacity as Philippine National Red Cross chairman and chief executive officer, also graced the book launching. (Sheila E. Covarrubias)
