BARANGAY Nazareth village chairman Maximo "Junjun" Rodriguez III on Thursday, December 6, said the Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club (NLTC) snubbed his invitations for a dialogue about the barangay's plan to demolish the tennis courts to build a new barangay hall.
Rodriguez said he had sent invitations to the directors four times, but to no avail.
Rodriguez explained that the P15-million four-story barangay hall will only occupy two of the three tennis courts in the area. He disclosed that over the years, the tennis court has been "illegally occupying" about 3,000 square meters of the 7,500-square-meter total area, which is part of the barangay plaza.
"I say illegal because they are occupying it without a barangay permit," Rodriguez said, adding that the barangay council has unanimously decided and already passed a resolution to proceed with the construction of the barangay hall.
Rodriguez said he understands that the tennis courts produced the best tennis players, but pointed out that there have been no champions recorded lately.
"Since Kapitana Bebot's time, these directors, who are not from barangay Nazareth, were not cooperating during her stint as village chair," he added.
Rodriguez said the four-story barangay hall will house a daycare center and a violence against women and children office.
"My office is open everyday and I still look forward to talk to them. I assure all of you that what we are doing is only for the betterment of our Barangay Nazareth," he added.
The NLTC is tagged as the home of finest tennis players in the Philippines and still continue to produce top players as varsities to different universities and colleges both in Manila and abroad. And NLTC members are worried that the tennis court will be demolished soon with the barangay's plan to build the barangay hall in the area.
Tibs Palasan, a member of the NLTC meanwhile said the barangay has no right to demolish the courts. He noted that, the 7,000 square meter area was donated by the owners of San Isidro Village Subdivision for the exclusive use as open space and playground. He said that the barangay already violated the law when it constructed several buildings on the open spaces and playground which are not intended for recreational purposes.
"My own research indicates that the open space and playground was donated by the subdivision developer to the City of Cagayan de Oro. The tax declarations and historical ownership documents would prove that. Therefore, if there is any entity that can demolish the tennis courts, it is only the City Government of Cagayan de Oro can do that," he added.
Palasan said they are ready to vacate the area only if the local government of Cagayan de Oro City will tell them to do so. However, he added, "considering that the NLTC spent for the construction of the tennis courts, then the Civil Code of the Philippines provides that the builders in good faith must be reimbursed for the expenses. "
"Barangay Nazareth, granting it secures an authority from the City Government, cannot just demolish the tennis courts without reimbursing the tennis club. That would be a violation of the penal laws," he added.