CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government will expand the development of the controversial 24-hectare Balili property in Barangay Tinaan in Naga City with an additional 2.5-hectare lot donation by the Teves-Villamor family.
Governor Gwen Garcia made the announcement after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the provincial government and the family represented by Carmen Mayor Martin Gerard Villamor and his mother Corazon Teves-Villamor.
Corazon is the wife of the late Carmen mayor Virginio “Benyong” Villamor, a close ally of Garcia.
“Panagsa ra kaayo kini nga mahitabo sa atong probinsya sa Sugbo, gumikan kay kita man maoy pirme nga manghatag sama sa mga sakyanan ug uban pa ngadto sa mga dakbayan, lungsod og barangay, apan karon ang probinsya sa Sugbo maoy gihatagan,” said Garcia in her speech.
The governor said the 2.5 hectares is located adjacent to the Balili property.
Despite the objection of her political opponents, Garcia said the provincial government will push through with its plan to develop the place.
Mayor Villamor said they donated the lot to the provincial government without asking for a favor from Garcia. He also said the lot in Naga City is too far as their house is in Carmen.
Although there was a suggestion before to sell the property, they eventually agreed to donate to the provincial government.
Mayor Villamor said Garcia is close to their family not only in terms of politics.
“Nakita sa pamilya nga mas dako ug matabang sa probinsya kon among i-donar ang yuta,” said Mayor Villamor.
Earlier, Garcia insisted on holding on to the 24.7–hectare lot despite calls to rescind the contract after it was found out that about 80 percent or more than 20 hectares of the lot was actually submerged and planted with mangroves.
Garcia said that the provincial government is planning to develop the area into an international port.
According to Garcia, building a new port in Naga City would decongest the ship traffic in the Cebu City port.
According to Garcia, once the port in Naga opens, ships transporting Cemex cement will dock there.
She is also anticipating the entry of the Mabuhay Cement Plant that will also require port services. — THE FREEMAN