Occupants glad of move to renew talks, wish lot prices won't go up

CEBU, Philippines - Residents occupying province-owned lot in Cebu City found a ray of hope with the statement of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia that Capitol is willing to reopen negotiations with the Cebu City government on the 93-1 issue.

Whatever the outcome of the new dialogue will be, the affected residents wish the price of the lots will not be increased. They also wish that a longer time will be given to enable them to settle their dues and get security of tenure.

Former Luz barangay captain and now Councilor Nida Cabrera said occupants of province-owned lot in Luz are very happy with the development.

“We requested long time ago na ipadayon. But we hope na unta ang presyo dili lang musaka og maayo aron makabayad ang mga tawo and at least taas ang term kay kung mubo ra sad maglisod jud og bayad,” Cabrera said.

In Luz alone, there are about 2,000 beneficiaries of 93-1 but only about 400 were able to fully pay their dues to the province.

The rest have either partially paid or were not able to pay even a single cent for one reason or another.

Of the 400 who successfully settled their accounts, about 300 have received their deed of absolute sale from the province. Cabrera said that they are waiting for 100 more which was delayed due to the last elections.

Cabrera said that those who were able to pay in full are already off the hook, but those who still live in fear of losing their homes anytime, must be helped as soon as they could possible give closure to the issue.

Of the 5,000 total beneficiaries of 93-1, only about 1,400 have paid the province in full, which means, there are still 3,600 who are in danger of losing their homes.

During the time of former mayor Tomas Osmeña, the city started the land swap talks with the province, but the same did not materialize owing to some misunderstandings.

Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairman of the committee on housing, eyes on passing a resolution to address the issue, but said he would have to speak first with Mayor Michael Rama to set parameters.

“First we have to define the parameters and I will strongly suggest that we will include Bimbo (former City Administrator Francisco Fernandez) in the negotiation team because at the very onset, siya ang involved aning 93-1 negotiation,” Dizon said.

Rama said he has no problem with the participation of Fernandez since 93-1 is a political issue that is being pursued by the Bando Osmeña - Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

Fernandez represents Congressman and head of BOPK Tomas Osmeña.

Dizon said it is better for the city government to intervene in the negotiation and not just let the occupants directly negotiate with the province to expedite the closure of the case.

Rama vowed to cooperate in the negotiation, saying he is committed to the urban poor in Cebu City.

“But I want to hear the status first and checks if there are some technical and legal ramifications that I need to know. I assigned the City Attorney to give me a report on this. I made a commitment and I will stand by it. And also my concern, I want to repeat, it’s not my fault that it was stopped before because I’ve always wanted to solve the problem,” Rama said. — THE FREEMAN