Council to decide on 93-1 land swap

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council is expected to rule on the proposed resolution authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sign and enter the deed of donation and acceptance with the province for the 93-1 land swap deal next week.

This after Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. has already provided the needed document for the land swapping which is to draft an ordinance for the disposition of at least 2.5 hectare lot at the South Road Properties (SRP).

He told reporters yesterday that he will submit the proposed ordinance to the committee on laws, ordinances and styling so that the body can render its report.

With that, the City Council can make a final ruling on his proposed resolution allowing Osmeña to sign the deed of donation and acceptance.

Last June 5, the committee on laws, ordinances and styling has withdrawn its report because Gabuya failed to provide the documents for the disposition of 2.5 hectare SRP properties, which is included in the land swap deal.

In order for the city government to legally dispose it, an ordinance is needed rather than a mere resolution.

Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor Head Meriam Fernandez- Escober drafted the ordinance.

Escober is expecting that the council will give finality on the deed of donation for the land swap deal which is already a long standing issue.

It's been one year and six months already since Osmeña and Governor HilarioDavide III signed the Memorandum of Agreement of the land swapping.

"For 93-1, ang atong deed of donation as well as the ordinance transferring the 2.5 hectares sa SRP has already been submitted kang konsehal Gabuya. As per Konsehal Gabuya, hopefully it will be scheduled on Tuesday for deliberation in the council," she said.

Once the mayor signs the deed of donation and acceptance, the city can validly dispose of the properties to the province.

Other properties of the city includes the 13,711 square-meter lot of its Sewerage Treatment Plant, 2,475 square- meter slaughterhouse at the North Reclamation Area, nine-hectare property in Pulpogan, Consolacion, the 3.3 hectare Block 27, Block 27-A and Block 27-B including the road between them at the North Reclamation Area.

For the province, it will dispose of a total of 32.4 hectares of lot covered by Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1 that will be transferred to the city.

In the province side, the move authorizing Davide to sign and enter the deed of donation is pending approval of the Provincial Board.

Resolving the 93-1 issue was among the promises made by Osmeña and Davide as they assume office after the 2016 election. —GAN (FREEMAN)