4,000 Apas residents can now own lots

AROUND 4,000 residents of Barangay Apas, Cebu City can start owning the lots they have been occupying for years already after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the compromise agreement that will allow them to buy the properties.

“I would like to announce that Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) Delfin Lorenzana signed the comprise agreement,” Negros Occidental Alfredo Benitez announced.

While the residents can already start the negotiation with the Cebu Provincial Government on the price of the lots they

occupy.

House Oversight Committee on Housing and Urban Development which Benitez chaired held a hearing at the Central Command (Centcom) in Barangay Apas on Monday, February 18 to review the status and implementation of the Presidential Proclamation (PP) 409.

PP 409 on June 23, 2003, which was issued by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was the president that time declared part of the area of what is now the Centcom of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the barangay as socialized housing.

Arroyo personally attended the hearing of the Oversight Committee in Cebu on Monday, February 18.

After the issuance of PP 409, the residents were just waiting for the DND to to give up its claim on the lots after the Cebu City Government and the Cebu Provincial Government signed a compromise agreement that will allow them to buy the properties that are spread across five sitios.

On Oct. 12, 1959, the Province donated 47 parcels of land equivalent to 80 hectares to the AFP for military purposes.

But of the entire property, about 21 hectares are occupied mostly by urban poor residents, including retired and active

soldiers and their families, so former governor Pablo Garcia rescinded the donation.

The Province considered their occupation as a violation of the donation agreement resulting to the termination of the contract.

Then governor Gwen Garcia, Pablo’s daughter and successor, refused to recognize PP 409, prompting affected homeowners to go the court to seek clarification.

The case is pending before the Regional Trial Court Branch 58.

Present during the hearing last Monday, February 18 were Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Rep. Raul Del Mar (Cebu City, north district), Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City south district), Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, and members of the Alliance of Barangay Apas Community Association Inc. (Abaca) led by their president Ma. Linda Paracuelles, who are the beneficiaries of the property.

In an interview, Arroyo said the solicitor general, who represents the DND, can inform the court about the latest development.

“The case is closed. The Province has to do the remaining survey of the lot and that’s it, they (residents) can buy the property they’re occupying,” she said.

In a separate interview, Mayor Osmeña said he is thankful with the development and assured that the City will help in the

residents in the technical aspect, particularly the survey of the lot and the negotiation of the price.

“I feel so happy for them. This is the high point of their lives, I know what they have been through. They have been victims of politics, of personal interest, they won in the end,” he said.

For her part, Paracuelles said they already submitted an offer to buy the property to the Province.

“We’re very emotional and we’re very thankful to Speaker Arroyo. After this, we hope to discuss with the Province already

of the mode of payment for the lot,” she said.