Expropriation won't save 150 families from eviction

CEBU, Philippines - The expropriation of the 2,856-square meter lot in Barangay Hipodromo may not save the more than 150 urban families living in the area from eviction because most of them could not afford to buy the property.

A ranking official of the Commission on Audit said it would be inappropriate for the Cebu City government to allow the informal settlers to stay in the property, which the government paid P28.5 million for its expropriation.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama however said he has not decided yet on whether or not to evict the occupants of the property. There were plans that the property will be used as site for mini public market in Hipodromo.

The property was expropriated by the city government from spouses Ciriaco and Arminda Ortega. Then mayor now South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña filed an expropriation proceeding to buy the property, supposedly for the 150 urban families occupying the lot, but the amount set by the Regional Trial Court was too high for the occupants.

The court set the fair market value of the expropriated property at P11,000 per square-meter.

The records show that the city government had wanted to back out from the expropriation proceeding, but the Supreme Court ruled that the city can no longer withdraw from the expropriation case because it would be unfair for the lot owners who were deprived of their rights to use their lot for almost 20 years. (FREEMAN)