Talisay City wants its own megadome

Talisay City will soon have a megadome to cater for bigger sports events and other activities as the City Sports Commission is already identifying the site for the project.

The commission, through its chief, councilor Rodolfo Cabigas, is already looking for the venue of the project in barangays Poblacion, Biasong and Dumlog.

But Cabigas said they are eyeing the 90-hectare lot owned by the University of the Philippines and the Development of Arts of the Philippines that is located strategically infront of the Cebu South Coastal Road.

The lot, however, has been occupied by at least 100 squatter families for years despite a court decision granting ownership to UP and DAP.

Municipal Trial Court in Cities judge Mario Manayon had issued a court order mandating the eight previous illegal settlers to vacate the lot. But UP and DAP did not make any move to implement the order, resulting to the rising number of squatters.

There were reports that the illegal occupants sold portions of the property to several people who are now occupying the place, which is just located next to the city hall.

Now that the city is expressing desire to own 60 hectares of the property, Cabigas wanted to negotiate with the real owners.

"Mag-negotiate usa na paliton sa Talisay (government) ang yuta."

The squatters, Cabigas said, will be relocated.

Meanwhile, the city is set to send a letter to UP and DAP over their unpaid taxes for years. The school already explained that since it is a university, it is exempted from any taxes.

Cabigas, however, said the school should not have tax exemption because it has not utilized the lot for academic purposes. - Liv G. Campo