For its housing program: Cebu City wants donated lot back

CEBU, Philippines — In an effort to recover lots for a housing program, the Cebu City government is offering another property to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in exchange for the original lot in Barangay Kalunasan that was previously donated to them.

The lot, donated by the city government to DENR-7 several years ago, is approximately 1.1 hectares.

According to the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), DENR-7’s executive director, Paquito Melicor, who attended a meeting with the city government, stated that the area is designated for its Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC).

The WRC houses rescued animals such as snakes, monkeys, birds, and even crocodiles.

However, City Councilor Jerry Guardo, who currently oversees the Cebu City Government's Task Force Pabahay (TFP), mentioned in an interview with The Freeman that he does not believe the area is suitable for such a purpose, as it is residential.

“The DENR donated lot is about 1.1-hectare property nga gamiton nila for Wildlife sanctuary…but then kana man gud nga location, sa karon nga situation ba, murag dili na muhaom for wildlife kay highly, densely residential na ang area,” said Guardo.

As such, the Task Force Pabahay (TFP) suggested another property in Barangay Guba to the DENR for the wildlife sanctuary.

“If the purpose of that property is for wildlife conservation, then among gi-suggest why not ang among property na lang sa Guba. So kato didto, pang wildlife gyud to kay forest gyud ba,” Guardo added.

Paquito Melicor, DENR-7’s executive director, expressed no objection to this proposal but emphasized that the final decision would come from DENR’s Central Office in Manila.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Jerry Guardo, upon realizing that the former Cebu Zoo in Kalunasan had been converted into the Cebu City Wildlife Resource and Protection Facility last year, mentioned he would discuss with acting Mayor Raymond Garcia the possibility of incorporating DENR’s Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) under the Cebu City Eco Park.

During its groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, the seven-hectare property was redesigned into a community-mixed habitat and envisioned to house rescued animals from DENR.

“We will also revisit this," said Guardo, adding that the DENR-7 is open to any area.

In addition to the 1.1 hectares, the city government, through TFP, has also expressed interest in recovering the 4.3 hectares of land donated to the Evangelical Free Church, which is adjacent to the property donated to DENR.

Guardo stated that if these properties are recovered, along with a 5,000-square meter unused property in the area, Cebu City would have a total of six hectares available for a medium or high-rise housing project, significantly aiding the city’s housing needs.

“Sus, kung ma recover ni tanan namo, unya makatukod mig building diha, dako kayog ning sulbad and backlog sa among housing program,” Guardo added.

Private partners are also willing to help the city government for its housing projects under the national government’s 4PH program, Guardo said.

“We don’t have to shell out funding for it anymore for lot acquisition, tukod ra mi derecho, gwapo pa kaayog location. Duol ra kayo sa city,” Guardo said. — (FREEMAN)