City Hall inventory shows 20 properties

CEBU, Philippines - Following its series of inventory activities, the Cebu City’s Land Management Council (LMC) discovered at least 20 properties that the City Government owns but are being used by other agencies and individuals, including the area where the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in barangay Tinago sits.

Lawyer Jade Ponce, the city’s legal counsel for the Rallos case and head of the LMC, said since the inventory is ongoing, they have yet to decide what to do with these newly found city properties.

But for sure, Ponce added, there’s no need for the City to buy lots for resettlement areas.

Ponce said there may have several government agencies that deal with land-related matters but these do not work together with the City Council so it does not have a record of purchased lots. But with the LMC created last year, they hope to fix that problem by being a “one-stop shop” for all matters concerning lots.

As to the property the DPWH is using, Ponce said the City might not touch the 4,000-square meter property because its being used by a government agency. Ponce said they found out about the property while they were looking for a possible location for Barangay Tinago’s future sports complex.

The other lots, meanwhile, are foreclosed properties which are “due for consolidation” in favor of the City Government, he said. These properties residential and commercial ones. Some have buildings while others are vacant. These are scattered in Colon St., the Waterfront area and barangay Apas, among others.

The Land Management Office reportedly has a record of more than 100 lots owned by the City Government. These were either purchased, donated or to be redeemed after foreclosure but are being used by some individuals or agencies.

“When Mayor (Michael) Rama said the Rallos case is just a tip of the iceberg, he is not exaggerating,” Ponce said.

Rama does not want to pay the Ralloses for their property in barangay Sambag II that was converted into a road. Rama’s counsels earlier said that the City might run after former mayor Tomas Osmeña, now Cebu City South district representative, for allowing the release of the more than P56 million to the heirs of Rev. Fr. Vicente Rallos during his time as mayor for the payment of the said property. - (FREEMAN)