Capitol, City Hall form groups for 93-1 issue

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Hilario Davide III is keen on solving the issue on the sale of Capitol lots to their occupants as he will form a Technical Working Group (TWG) that will look into all aspects of the 93-1 properties.

He assured homeowners associations who met with him yesterday that he will do his best to settle things.

"Need na masulbad na gyud ning problema para mahuman na gyud ni. We need to have it resolved," said Davide, who said that also among the suggestions of the homeowners association was for a TWG to be organized.

He said that the homeowners associations that met with him include those from Tejero, Apas, Busay and Kamputhaw. These groups have concerns similar to those of the previous associations that already met him.

"There's no doubt, they are really willing to acquire their lots," explained Davide.

The occupants feel that the price provided by the Provincial Government for the acquisition of the lands is too high. Discussions have long been done among the Provincial Government, Cebu City Government and long-time residents of the province owned lots. Even Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chairman, Vice President Jejomar Binay, has intervened to help solve the issue.

According to Davide, the homeowners associations also hope that the timeframe for them to fully pay for their lands would be extended.

Last May 2012, some homeowners associations signed a Memorandum of Agreement with then governor Gwendolyn Garcia to fully pay for their lots until November of the same year.

Members of the Homeowners association have also expressed their intent to deal directly with the Provincial Government, said Davide, and that there will be no lot swap anymore.

Davide said once the TWG is formed, successive meetings with the associations will follow.   He said the TWG would most likely include Provincial Board Member Gigi Sanchez, chairman on the committee on municipal properties plus two other board members and Paul Entera of the Capitol's Real property Division.

Top officials of the City Hall and Capitol are set to meet again to further discuss details.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday told reporters that he has arranged for another meeting with Davide.  They met shortly before formally assuming into office last  July 1 generally talking about common grounds of the two local government units including the long-time concern on 93-1. But they have yet to lay down concrete steps on how to properly address these concerns.

Learning about the concerns of BOPK councilor and Committee on Housing chairman Alvin Dizon that the new group overlaps with the previously formed one bearing the same goal, the mayor said this is entirely new ad hoc group considering he has just started his fresh mandate for his second term.

"Joey (Daluz), being a former councilor, will lead the new group under the new administration," Rama said.

The technical working group for City Hall will be composed of Councilors Hans Abella, Lea Japson, Gerry Carillo, Alvin Dizon, with the presence of city administrator Atty. Jose Marie Poblete and city attorney Jerone Castillo.

Dizon reiterated his stand on begging off from joining the recently-formed team saying he would rather act on his own banking on the politically allied governor whom he described as "understanding."

"I'd rather work closely with the residents than be a part of the ad hoc group. I will work on finding solution since the government is a close ally. It is enough mandate that the people elected me. I had a bad experience with the ad hoc group before. We were part of it but never during the actual negotiations," Dizon said.

Carillo earlier expressed willingness to help being a former legal counsel of  beneficiaries on the road to the approval of the provincial ordinance. He also stressed that community mortgage program is the most appropriate solution to the 93-1 issue.

Rama yesterday agreed with Carillo saying he does not have any problem with it since he does not favor land swapping. — (FREEMAN)