With Binay as witness Groups ink deal for Capitol lots

CEBU, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Capitol and another batch of Cebu City residents who expressed interest to buy the province-owned lots they are occupying.

Binay also took the chance to distribute the land titles of 38 residents in Cebu City and Mandaue City who successfully complied with their obligation under the community mortgage program. These, though, were not part of what was previously known as 93-1.

“Ito ay pinaghihirapan ninyo, huwag ninyong kalimutan, sa halip ito ay pag-iingatan, pagbigyan ng sapat na pagpapahalaga,” Binay told the beneficiaries at the Cebu International Convention Center. (You worked hard for this, so it is best that you take very good care of this.)

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia led the signing of the agreement between the 14 homeowners associations including the Sugbo-Gawad Kalinga Village Homeowners Association in Tunghaan, Minglanilla.

One association in barangay Busay was not included for reportedly supporting the revival of the land swap deal between the City Government and the Province of Cebu.

The 14 homeowners associations coming from the seven barangays were are the second batch. The first batch from barangays Kalunasan and Lahug were done last May with the signing also witnessed by Binay.

Those who signed agreements yesterday are the Capitol Site Homeowners Association in barangay Capitol Site; Railway Station HOA, Lesdom HOA, San Miguel HOA, Mabolo HOA, Lot 1432 HOA, and Lot 1433 HOA, all in barangay Mabolo.

Sitio Agay-ay Urban Development Resident Association in barangay Tejero; Kasambagan Riverside HOA in barangay Kasambagan; Lot 1330 HOA, Lot 1331 HOA and Hilltop Nivel Hills Lot 1405 HOA in barangay Busay; and the Actual Occupants and Residents OPRRA Kalunasan Inc. in barangay Kalunasan.

The price per square meter range from P2,826.66 located in barangay Busay as the lowest to P9,856.67 located in barangay Tejero as the highest.

It was agreed that the total purchase price shall be paid by the homeowners association not later than six months from the execution of the agreement.

Failure on the part of the association to comply with the provisions shall entitle the Province of Cebu to cancel, terminate or rescind the agreement.

When fully paid, the Province of Cebu shall earn around P273 million from disposing of the said properties.

Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla said that they are assisting the associations in processing their loans with the financing institutions such as the Pag-Ibig Fund.

The proceeds shall be paid directly to the Province of Cebu while the homeowners shall pay the monthly amortizations to the financing institution at their chosen term of payment.

Binay 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.

Garcia said that when she assumed office for the third and final term, the burning issue was on how to resolve the 93-1 issue.

She promised that it will be resolved before her term ends next year thus she is working with the office of Binay who heads the Housing ands Urban Development Coordinating Council.

The third batch of homeowners associations still has to be finalized before another signing of agreement shall be held.

The first batch of beneficiaries included 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. — /JPM (FREEMAN)