A PARTYLIST group and some settlers of the 93-1 lots asked yesterday the Cebu Provincial Government to accept the offer of the Cebu City Government on how to solve the long-running issue involving the Province-owned lots.
That is the acquisition of the remaining 93-1 lots that have not yet been paid or fully paid for by its beneficiaries for P500 million, among others.
In a press conference yesterday, Evangeline Abejo of the Alliance of National Urban Poor Assembly (Anupa) Inc. Partylist said they believe the counter-proposal of the Province is “unconstitutional.”
The Province seems to be making a business out of the 93-1 lots instead of ensuring the security of tenure of the 93-1 settlers, she said.
“Sa among giingon, kung kita man gud maghisgot ug tubo sa kantidad sa original na presyo, kung maghisgot ta’g tubo more on kapitalista na, more on business. So ang serbisyo wala na. Ang mandate sa local government unit, dapat seryosong serbisyo ug tan-awon nila ang kahimtang sa mga tawo (If we talk about earning from the capital, that’s capitalism, business. Service is forgotten. It should be service and they should seriously look at the people’s situation),” she said.
Aside from the P500-million payment, the Province earlier asked that they be given a 3.3-ha. property at the North Reclamation Area with a current value of P1.3 billion or a property at the South Road Properties that is of similar value.
This, since the “most fair and just” compensation for the unpaid 93-1 lots is P1.8 billion, the Province said.
Out of the 51-ha. property covered under Provincial Ordinance 93-1, some 32 hectares have not yet been paid for.
Enough
Abejo said the P500 million offer of the City is more than enough, saying that the balance of the settlers who have not yet paid or fully paid for their present home lots only amounts to P232 million. This is based on the records of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor as of 2013.
Bebe Baleriano, for her part, said though the balance of the 93-1 settlers only stands at P187 million.
Baleriano, who is among the 93-1 beneficiaries in Barangay Luz, said that the amount is based on their discussions with the Province some time in 2012.
Despite the differences in the amount, Baleriano shared the sentiments of Abejo for the Capitol to accept the City’s offer.
“93-1 should be given to the people and not used for business. It should not be stuck in any changes in zonal valuation of the lot because it is government responsibility to provide shelter to the people,” she said.
Alona Dalut, president of the Upper Kalunasan Homeowners’ Association, asked the officials of the Province to stand by what they have agreed on when they had a “high-level” meeting with the City officials some time in 2014.
“Di na lang unta sila magliko-liko. Kung unsa ang nasabutan, mao na unta na siya. Di na unta na sila mamingaw sa kung kinsay maghunghong nila(They should stick to what was agreed. They shouldn’t be listening to anyone else),” she said.
Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman, for his part, said the City is sincere in solving the 93-1 issue, considering that they have already submitted the proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) covering the purchase of the unpaid 93-1 lots for P500 million.
Certificate
A certificate of availability of funds has also been submitted, he added. A huge number of Apas residents are beneficiaries of 93-1.
Aside from that, though, the proposed MOA provides that the City will turn over the administration and management of City-owned socialized housing properties in the province to the Provincial Government.
This includes the 21,000-sq.m. socialized housing area in Canduman, Mandaue City, the 13-ha. socialized housing area in Pulpogan, Consolacion and another property in Talisay City.
Abejo then said they are hoping that the issue concerning the 93-1 lots will be resolved before the 2016 elections.
Capitol
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and other officials in the Province met Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama last Friday to talk about the 93-1 lots, following the Capitol’s statement that the provincial lot is worth more than P500 million.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said there is already a counter-proposal from the City Government, which was already acceptable to them last Friday.
“It’s more than the P500 million pero amo pang gisud sa (but we forward it to the Capitol’s) technical working group and all the conditions because we also concerns,” Magpale told reporters.
Davide confirmed that they met the City officials, but did not disclose anything because they are still finalizing things.
Among those who attended the meeting were Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo, and Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor Chief Collin Rosell.
Davide was accompanied by Magpale, Provincial Board Member Peter ohn Calderon, Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino and Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega.
Davide presented what happened in last week’s meeting during the Provincial Board’s caucus yesterday.
Magpale said the City and the Province both drafted a memorandum of agreement not like before when only Cebu City made a MOA.
She said they need to come up with a decision on Monday.
“Ang amo’ng gidawat nga acceptable sad sa mga lumulopyo sa lalawigan nga maoy beneficiary niining (We want an agreement that is acceptable to the constituents of the Province who are beneficiaries of this) amount. We also have our own constituents to worry about,” Magpale said.