Residents of 93-1 lots: Fourth batch gets titles

Another batch of Cebu City beneficiaries occupying province-owned lots received deeds of absolute sale from the Cebu provincial government yesterday morning.

 Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. led the awarding of the 177 beneficiaries, for the fourth batch, who received their deeds of absolute sale for the lots they are occupying in the city barangay of Luz.

 This would already bring to a total of 452 the city residents who received their proof of land ownership after they had fully paid their obligation.

 Last October, Garcia personally distributed 85 deeds of absolute sale at the Cebu International Convention Center to residents of barangays covered by the controversial 93-1 Ordinance. A month later, 134 more deeds were released at the Capitol Social Hall.

The other day, 56 beneficiaries who belong to the third batch received the deeds in barangay Lahug wherein provincial officials personally went to the site to distribute the titles.

 Real estate administrator Paulino Entera said that 365 beneficiaries from Lahug and Luz have already received their proof of ownership since the day Capitol began distributing titles to them.

 According to Entera, this means that left are 94 beneficiaries from Lahug and 54 from Luz who have not yet received their titles.

 A total of 185 and 328 residents from Lahug and Luz, respectively, are occupying province-owned lots.

 The 93-1 lots are those covered by an ordinance in February 8, 1993 signed by then governor Vicente “Tingting” de la Serna.

 Under the ordinance, it allowed legitimate occupants of provincial lots in Cebu City, defined by those who have been staying in the lot for two-three years, to own the land where they have built their houses on by paying for it in two years.

 Deadline for payments was extended for five years in 1994 and another five years in 1999 during the term of then Cebu governor Pablo Garcia, who is now congressman of the second district. But no more extensions were granted during the term of Gov. Garcia, in line with her policy to recover all provincial properties, when she assumed office in 2004.

 In her message, Garcia assured that “no residents will be left without a roof” as she is dealing the problem directly with the barangay captains.

 Garcia hinted that she has not closed her doors on those who have partially paid the lots, as the deal will be in a case-to-case basis.

 The governor said that she will negotiate with the village chiefs for solutions to those who have partially paid or those who have never paid at all.

Luz barangay captain Nida Cabrera, in her response, thanked the governor saying that “ang yuta nga atong gi-occupy usa ka sagradong butang nga atong mahalon.”

 As an act of gratitude to the governor, barangay Luz will name its eco-park after Gov. Garcia.

 Conditions in owning the land include exclusive residential use, a certificate of legitimate ownership, certificate from the assessor that beneficiary does not own any other lots, and that the lot covered by 93-1 cannot be sold in 10 years since ownership was formalized. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)