Province to choose 'fair price' for 93-1 lots

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial government is open to arrive at a “fair price” deal in the acquisition of the controversial 93-1 lots.

Capitol consultant and spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda said the province will manifest this stand in a formal letter to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robrero.

The province is looking at three suggestions: Php8,000 per square meter zonal value set by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; P2,500 per square meter assessed by the Provincial Assessor; and P300 per square meter set by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 for the informal settlers to pay the province.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia instructed Sepulveda to send the letter after Robrero cancelled a meeting with the province twice. The first meeting was scheduled last January and the second meeting was scheduled last March 3.

Robredo presented the options to the province through his representative, lawyer Angel Ojastro, last January.

Sepulveda did not explain what Capitol considers a “fair price,” but emphasized that the province would prefer to get payment for the lots “in bulk” rather than collect individually from the settlers like before. To make this possible, Sepulveda said the national government or the homeowners association to which the illegal settlers belong can pay for the lots collectively.

The San Roque Homeowners’ Association Inc. of Barangay Luz or the Panaghugpong sa mga Kabus Taga-Dakbayan, has proposed to pay the rates set on 1990 at P300 up to P1,500 per square meter, depending on the location.

Garcia said that she will settle the 93-1 issue before she steps down as governor in 2013. Representatives of the province and the Cebu City government are currently on talks to resolve the issue. (FREEMAN)