Another dialog set on UP lot row

CEBU, Philippines - A new set of dialog will be held between the residents of San Jose, Barangay Lahug and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas-Cebu College this January 4 at the Lahug barangay hall.

This after yesterday’s court hearing, which was supposed to be the aftermath of their December 3 dialog, has been postponed as UP officials have not yet decided if they will totally allow the proposed 15-year agreement with the settlers.

The agreement was reached after a two-hour dialog last December 3, in which UP administrators and their lawyers discussed with fire victims a possible solution to the conflict.

Tensions grew last month after a fire destroyed the settlers’ homes. Following the fire, UP prevented the settlers from reoccupying the area because the land belongs to the school.

When barangay captain Mary Ann de los Santos tried to intervene on the settlers’ behalf, UP asked the court to restrain her.In the dialog earlier, which was also attended by Delos Santos and her lawyer, Cecilia Adlawan, UP and the settlers agreed on a lease agreement.

The agreement states that the settlers may rent the parcels of land within the lot that they used to occupy.

UP could not sell the lot to the settlers because the land originally belonged to the Cebu provincial government. It is part of 13 hectares donated by the province to the university in 1925 under the condition that UP may not sell any portion of the land.

While terms of the lease agreement would still be detailed at a later time, the settlers proposed either a 15-year or 30-year lease agreement. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)