Mandaue buying lot as relocation site in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government is set to purchase 25,498 square meters of land in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City for use as relocation sites for fire victims in barangays Guizo and Mantuyong.

Only 359 of 657 fire victims got their permanent lot allotment in the government-owned 9.2-hectare lot in Guizo and Mantuyong. The remaining 288 would be relocated to a private land in Lapu-Lapu City to be purchased by the Mandaue City government.

Acting city assessor Richard Flores said the city appraisal committee approved of the lot after the owners submitted an offer to sell three lots with clean titles, no informal settlers, and of close proximity to existing power, telecommunications, and public transportation. Of the said lots, each of the 299 families would receive a 28-square meter re-blocked lot.

One lot (13,757 square meters) is owned by a certain Rogelio Ceniza, the second lot (5,730 square meters) is owned by Exequiela Amistad, while the third lot(6,011 square meters) is owned by Albina Igot.

Based on the appraised value of the lots, Ceniza’s lot is worth P53,672,000; Amistad’s, P20,055,00; and Igot's, P21,038,500, or a total of P89,526,900 that the city has to allocate funds for.

Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing already pointed out that the new relocation sites may not necessarily be situated within Mandaue City.

The mayor said the government would ensure that those who will be relocated outside the city would have an advantage in terms of employment, road network, and access to electricity and water.

The beneficiaries, however, were told that they should execute an affidavit of undertaking stating that they are barred from selling, assigning, or transferring the lot given to them by the city to any person by way of legal succession.

In 1998, the city government, under then mayor Alfredo Ouano, took the initiative in addressing the housing problem of urban poor settlers, represented by the Federation of Mandaue Community Urban Poor Inc., and allowed them to settle in the 9.2-hectare property in Barangays Guizo and Mantuyong. (FREEMAN)