City to pay initial P100M for 93-1 lots

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu City government wants to pay an initial P100 million for province-owned lots in the city that are occupied by city residents and the remaining P400 million once the certificates of title for all lots will be transferred to its name.

These stipulations are laid down in the proposed memorandum of agreement between the city and province, which the city forwarded to the Cebu Provincial Board for approval. 

“With the execution and signing of the agreement and payment of P100 million in favor of the Province of Cebu, control and possession of the subject properties must be transferred and delivered to the City of Cebu in order to formally initiate its Socialized Housing Program consistent with all existing ordinances, rules and regulations for the purpose as well as to introduce site developments in the said areas in the eleven barangays of Cebu City,” the proposed MOA reads.

Lawyer Collin Rosell said the city government and the province have agreed to develop the properties for P300 million and to procure the lots at P200 million.

“Initially, It was the province nga ni-offer anang P200 million. Atong ipa-develop and P300 million. So P200 million ra unta sa ila pero niingon sila ang P500 na entire na lang,” Rosell said.

The 51 hectares covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 are subdivided to at least 4,364 home lots in 11 different barangays, including Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, Kasambagan, and Tejero.

Rosell said city government has appropriated the amount this year.

“There is really nothing left to do (for the city). The ball now is in the hands of the province. Sa province na, dili half, but tibuok gyud naa na sa Province,” Rosell said.

A series of consultative meetings between Governor Hilario Davide III and Mayor Michael Rama were held before the MOA was proposed.

Provincial Ordinance 93-1 was approved in 1993 to provide a scheme for residents to pay monthly amortizations to own the property they are occupying.

However, of the 4,364 home lots, only 1,445 have been fully paid for; 1,188 have not been fully paid for; while 1,731 have not been paid for at all.

Former governor Gwendolyn Garcia had negotiated with former mayor Tomas Osmeña on a possible land swap but no deal pushed through. When he became mayor in 2010, Rama continued the negotiations.

Further, Cebu City will turn over to Capitol city-owned properties located in the province in Consolacion, Mandaue City and Talisay City.

“The second party (Cebu City Government), with the participation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, may in the alternative or as adjunct to this agreement, consider for possible set off or compensation the amount of unpaid balances of the 93-1 transaction to that of the account receivable of the City of Cebu on the mentioned properties, without need of re-appraisal for better valuation as the properties involved are more or less situated similarly,” the proposed MOA reads.

The Office of the Mayor has sent communications to at least all homeowners association that will benefit the Provincial Ordinance 93-1.

In the August 20 letter, Rama asked the beneficiaries to cooperate with the city government in the site development that the city will undertake for its socialized housing program.  (FREEMAN)