City, Carreta folk get options on government lot

CEBU, Philippines - The National Housing Authority has given the Cebu City government and residents of Barangay Carreta four options on how to utilize a lot in the barangay that is owned by the national government.

NHA wants to utilize the lot but the residents have asked the city to help them negotiate so that they can remain.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said one option is to let a private organization buy the lot and enter into a joint venture agreement with the city government in building a condominium where the residents can stay.

“Pero ang kana, mag-agad sad ta sa kon maka-afford ba ang residents sa condominium.

Ang second, muhatag og subsidy ang city government para dili dak-an ang mga residents sa pagbayad sa yuta,” Dizon said.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo said another choice would be for the city to buy the lot and will regulate the property.

The last option is for the city to swap a lot it owns for the national lot.

Years ago, Carillo said, NHA bought the lot from a private owner for around P150 million but the NHA now wants to develop the land.

“In fact, dugay na kaayo na sa tanan ejectment or demolition diha sa Carreta. The national government through the National Housing Authority came in and expropriated the property on behalf of the residents and that was long time ago. Later on the lot owner sued NHA for the payment and NHA lost around 150 million,” he said

“Now, NHA wants to develop property and would like to transfer the residents to Barangay Budlaan, but the residents want intervention from the city. Nga, instead, they will buy the property and reimburse,” Carillo said.

Last month, the homeowner’s association in the barangay requested the City Council to help them stop an impending demolition of their houses by the NHA.

“Some legal issues have been hinting us to take legal action as to how we can oppose the demolition basing on court orders stating that we are the direct beneficiaries of an expropriated land,” said Rhodora Pijls, the association president.

She said that the residents have the documents proving that they are the legal recipients of the expropriated lot.

Dizon and Carillo both assured that whatever decision the city will arrive at will be in favor of its residents.

Engineer Gavino Figuracion, regional Manager of NHA, also said that the final decision of the agency will be beneficial to the 300 families in the barangay. —/JMO (FREEMAN)