GRATEFUL for the Cebu City Government’s move, occupants of Province-owned lots went to City Hall yesterday to thank officials for pursuing the purchase of the lots they are occupying.
More than 50 homeowners were at the City Hall grounds yesterday morning carrying banners and streamers with thank you notes for Mayor Michael Rama and other officials who backed the acquisition of their lots.
The City has set aside P500 million to acquire the lots covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1, develop them and make it part of the City’s socialized housing program.
Evangeline Abejo, president of Nasudnong Katawhang Kabus, said the urban poor sector is grateful that after several years, the beneficiaries can already acquire the lots.
“We thought that the mayor has forgotten the concerns of the urban poor sector but he did not abandon us, that is why we are very grateful to him and the city officials,” she said in Cebuano.
Abejo said the families occupying provincial lots in the city will no longer worry about being evicted anytime since the acquisition is underway.
Rama and Gov. Hilario Davide III are set to sign the proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the payment.
The City, through the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, already sent Capitol a copy of the MOA last week.
Under Provincial Ordinance 93-1, some Cebu City constituents were given a chance to own the Province-owned lots they are occupying for a minimal price.
However, issues arose when most of them failed to pay the Province for the lots on time.
The ordinance covers around 51 hectares of land in Barangays Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, Kasambagan and Tejero. It consists of 4,364 home lots.
During their activity in City Hall yesterday, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella also thanked the beneficiaries for coming to City Hall.