Capitol wants 93-1 beneficiaries in Barangay Luz checked

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol has turned over a list of 93-1 beneficiaries to Cebu City for validation if the actual present occupants are still the real beneficiaries during the second meeting of their respective representatives yesterday.

Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda and Cebu City Administrator Jose Mari Poblete met at the Governor’s office yesterday for the second time since they were appointed by their respective local chief executives to discuss the Ordinance 93-1 issue or the issue involving province-owned lots in Cebu City.

Sepulveda said that he gave the list for beneficiaries of Barangay Luz in “good faith” which Poblete accepted.

In Barangay Luz alone, the total land area covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 is 31,968 square meters. Of this area 25,961 square meters are salable while the remaining areas are open spaces.

There are 1,205 lots being occupied by beneficiaries, 451 of these have already been fully paid and each has been issued a deed of absolute sale.

The remaining beneficiaries are in the list which is now with Poblete for validation if these people are the same beneficiaries or not.

Sepulveda explained that they want the help from the city to validate as they tried to conduct a similar survey three years ago but failed.

When asked what they will do if they find those not in the list are occupying the lots, Poblete said they have to refer them to the Cebu City Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor.

But Sepulveda said that the law mandates for socialized housing in each local government unit which the province is considering under Ordinance 93-1.

There are three valuations that have to be considered such as the 1990 socialized valuation, 2007 valuation for purposes of land swap deal with Cebu City and the zonal valuation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in nearby areas.

Sepulveda said that the valuation should be reasonable to all concerned and they are now identifying all factors to consider for a “more serious, deep and thorough discussion or deliberation.”

Both Sepulveda and Poblete agreed that non-beneficiaries will not be left out but will be treated separately as they also have rights under the law.

Poblete said the list has yet to be studied before they decided how to go about it.

The much-anticipated first meeting earlier this month between the representatives of Capitol and City Hall to discuss the fate of thousands, who could be displaced if the negotiations would fail, turned out to be very cordial.

The first meeting was hosted by Poblete at his office at the Cebu City Hall.

The talks would not anymore touch those who have fully-paid for their lots and whose titles have already been turned over, but only those who have not paid or have only partially paid for their lots.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has earlier announced that she would also personally see to the resolution of this case with or without the help of the city officials, but wants to give them a chance to have a hand in this.

Ordinance 93-1 allowed the occupants of province-owned lots in Cebu City to buy the parcels that they are occupying from Capitol.

The problem started when it was found out that many have not paid for their lots and Capitol said that it intended to recover them to maximize their use. (FREEMAN)