93-1 lots ownership occupants urged to follow guidelines

CEBU, Philippines - The occupants of province-owned lots in Cebu City must comply with the provisions of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) entered into between Capitol and their respective homeowner’s association in order to get the lot titles.

Vice President Jejomar Binay made the appeal to the occupants yesterday after the signing of the MOA at the Cebu International Convention Center.

The signing of the agreement was the second step following the signing of the memorandum of understanding last March 1. Binay also witnessed the signing two months ago.

“Pagdating po ng panahon, mga titulo na ang ipamamahagi po namin sa inyo. Titulo na... tapos na po at iyan na po ay pagmamay-ari na ninyo,” Binay told hundreds of beneficiaries.

The first batch of beneficiaries include those from the Kalunasan United Livelihood Association; Langub Riverside Homeowners Association, Inc.; Valle Estrella Homeowners Association; South Bus Terminal Homeowners Association, all in Barangay Kalunasan and the Cebu Skyview Village Residents Association, Inc. in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

The MOA provides that each homeowner’s association is given until November 16, 2012 to pay the total purchase price. Failure to do so shall entitle the Province of Cebu to cancel and terminate the agreement.

In case of partial payment, such payments shall be returned by the Province of Cebu to the association without interests.

Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), assured that the associations can avail of the Community Mortgage Program of the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation or a loan from the Pag-Ibig Fund.   

Other associations can avail of the housing loan through the Cebu CFI Cooperative in which homeowners are members.

Binay asked the occupants to trust Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who are working together for the solution of the 93-1 issue.

Binay said he is saddened to know that some groups are trying to muddle the matter.

“Nalulungkot ako na tila merong grupo na ayaw matupad ang hinahangad. Magtiwala po kayo, nakarating na tayo sa pangalawang yugto,” Binay said.

Garcia, on the other hand, described yesterday’s MOA signing as “historic”.

“Today we had just taken the most concrete step towards the resolution of a problem that has pestered for over 40 years,” she said.

Garcia also thanked the lot occupants for their confidence despite some groups trying to make a mess out of the process.

“Wala kamo magpalingla,” the governor said Garcia in a speech.

“The right people are put together at the right time, for the right reason,” she added.

Rama, for his part, said Binay must be remembered for his work of rendering dedicated service for the country. —(FREEMAN)