Proposed Kalunasan Cemetery: Lahug official asks City Hall to rescind lot

CEBU, Philippines - A new controversy yesterday surfaced amidst the already very controversial proposal to build a cemetery in Barangay Kalunasan after an official of Barangay Lahug made an adverse claim of the 4.2-hectare property donated by South District Representative Tomas Osmeña to the Evangelical Christian Coalition of Cebu Incorporated.

Lahug Councilwoman Mary Ann delos Santos yesterday called on the members of the City Council to rescind the deed of donation issued by Osmeña during his term as Cebu City mayor in favor of the ECCCI, a coalition of 23 non-Catholic churches.

De los Santos said the lot belongs to the territorial jurisdiction of Lahug and not of Kalunasan.

“Unfortunately, they (Kalunasan) lack jurisdiction but still they issued a certification in favor of the donation of the 42,687-square meter lot,” delos Santos said.

She said they only came to know about it when the residents of Beverly Hills protested the proposed conversion of the property into a cemetery. Delos Santos made the adverse claim in yesterday’s public hearing of the proposed cemetery.

Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares asked the City Council to settle the boundary issue as he also contest delos Santos’ claim.

Cebu City Councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe, Jr. referred the issue before the City Planning and Development Office for study.

Monares also registered his objection to the building of cemetery in his barangay.

According to Monares, a cemetery must be established 25 meters away from the household. About 100 residents also attended the public hearing to voice out their opposition to the project.

Edmund Vinzon, the president of the homeowners association, cited various reasons why they are opposed to the plan. He said it poses serious health hazards to those living within the vicinity and would damage the environment.

“Kinasing-kasing ang among pag-anhi, magsinabtanay lang gyud ta ug magpahiubos sa atong garbo,” Vinzon said.

Vinzon however refused to listen to those who are in favor of the project saying, “Sirado gyud mi diha kay dili mi mosugot. Ang among hangyo lang gyud nga ibalhin lang sila sa laing lugar kay masakripisyo man gyud mi.”

Osmeña, who attended the public hearing, said the residents should understand that the city government is not only a government for Catholics.

“This government is not perfect. No matter what we do, we have to make a decision. I am aware that this people are asking for a public hearing and that they don’t want to listen, that is the problem” the congressman said.

The Visayas Region of the Girl Scout of the Philippines, the Beverly Glen Homeowners Association, Beverly Hills residents and Monares expressed opposition to the project.

But the members and officers of Upper Peace Valley Community Association support the move of the congressman. — (FREEMAN)