If issue persists, Tomas to prioritize 93-1 lots if he becomes mayor again

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña said yesterday solving the controversial 93-1 issue will be one of his priorities should he eventually run and win as mayor next year.

“All I can say, if I will become mayor, I will solve that very quickly. I will solve it and give them peace of mind and (tell them), ‘You can build your new kitchen and new bathroom… whatever your plans there’,” Osmeña said in an interview with reporters

Provincial Ordinance 93-1 allows Cebu City residents to purchase the province-owned lots they are occupying but since it was approved in 1993, no deal has been arrived at.

Osmeña recalled that during his time as mayor, he offered to swap a prime lot in the city with the lots occupied by city residents but Mayor Michael Rama who was vice mayor at that time opposed it.

“It is an extended problem because Mike Rama opposed the land swap about seven years ago and he keeps telling people, it’s solved, it’s solved,” Osmeña told reporters.

Osmeña said Rama “presumed the province will accept it. He thinks he owns the province.”

The provincial government is expected to decide tomorrow whether or not it will accept the city’s P500 million offer for the lots.

He said the urban poor “have been suffering for a long time” because of the absence of a solution to the issue.

He shared a time he was campaigning at an urban poor community when he witnessed a couple arguing over their dilapidated kitchen. The wife wanted the kitchen fixed but the husband reportedly told her they could not do so because they might just waste their money if they would be evicted from the lot they were occupying.

“They want to make a nice life but because of Mike, they don’t know (what to do),” Osmeña said.

“It’s not solved. It’s very far from solved. He’s going to pretend that, in the end it’s my fault, as usual. He always finds a way. He is that kind of a lawyer, maayo mangita og sala,” Osmeña said.

He also hit on Vice President Jejomar Binay who earlier blamed the provincial government for the delay in resolving the issue.

Osmeña pointed out that Binay used to be head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) but failed to address the problem.

“Remember, Binay becomes head of housing, how come Binay did not solve it? Now Binay is blaming the governor. Unsay sala sa governor?” he said. — (FREEMAN)