Garcia, Robredo verbally agree on price of 93-1 lots

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo have already reached a verbal agreement on the price of the provincial lots under the Ordinance 93-1, which the beneficiaries will pay in an installment basis.

Garcia said the verbal agreement was reached when she reminded Robredo of the province’s offer to sell the lot to DILG when they met recently.

However, Garcia refused to divulge to media the price they verbally agreed.

“I know that it would be full hardy to be talking of specific amount at this point of the negotiation because this will only open the floodgate of more unthoughtful opinion and acrimonious debate,” Garcia told reporters.

Last year, Robredo asked Garcia how they could possibly help in solving the 93-1 issue.

Garcia set forth the province’s position as regards the compensation for the properties involved in just, fair and equitable price.

A certain price was shown to the DILG and Robredo made a counter offer to come up with a comparative pricing for lot occupants who have not paid.

Robredo proposed a sample value of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s valuation and the 2006 appraised value of the property, which is P2,500 per square meter.

The appraisal was in preparation for the supposed land swap between Capitol and City Hall.

The proposal also indicated that the informal settlers’ valuation was at P300 per square meter which was the basis of 93-1.

Garcia said after they arrived at a particular price, she doesn’t know what would be the next step of Robredo.

There were reports that he is looking at a financial institution such as the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

During Robredo’s previous visit in Cebu, he said his office still has to finalize the valuation of lots covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 and identify ways to raise the money to pay for these lots.

Robredo said he supports the proposal of the provincial government for the national government to purchase the 93-1 lots.

The 93-1 issue is said to be a done deal between the Province of Cebu and DILG.

Garcia stressed that the province is only dealing with DILG in the resolution of 93-1 issue before the end of her term. (FREEMAN)