93-1 beneficiaries rush to beat Capitol deadline

CEBU, Philippines — Scores of occupants residing on Cebu Province-owned lots covered under Provincial Ordinance 93-1 flocked to the Capitol on the final day of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s ultimatum to process their housing loan applications through the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Occupants lined up at the Capitol to secure a copy of the contract to sell, a key requirement for availing of the housing loan, from the Provincial General Services Office.

Governor Garcia had previously issued a memorandum setting a final deadline, warning that failure to submit and comply with the necessary requirements would mean forfeiting the opportunity to avail of the Pag-IBIG loan program.

While several beneficiaries made last-minute efforts to meet the deadline, others opted out, citing financial constraints. One occupant, who requested anonymity, told The Freeman that they could not afford the lot’s valuation of P51,300 per square meter. For many urban poor residents, the cost—amounting to over a million pesos for their occupied property—was deemed unaffordable.

Despite concerns raised by the beneficiaries, the Capitol maintained that the price was reasonable, given that the properties are classified as prime lots. The valuation was determined by the Capitol’s appraisal committee based on zonal valuation rather than the actual market price, which could reach as high as P200,000 per square meter due to the proximity of the lots to malls and commercial establishments.

Instead of applying for the loan, some residents are pinning their hopes on former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama’s assurance that they will not face eviction, despite the unresolved ownership issues.

Governor Garcia’s memorandum made it clear that applications submitted beyond the deadline would no longer be entertained. Under Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1, enacted in 1993, the Capitol had granted residents the opportunity to acquire ownership of the lots through full amortization within a specified period. The lots were originally priced at P10 per square meter, but many occupants failed to complete their payments.

The 93-1 lots encompass approximately 51 hectares across at least 11 barangays in Cebu City, including Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega San Miguel, and Tejero.

As the deadline passes, the fate of the remaining residents who have yet to secure their ownership remains uncertain, with many hoping for further government intervention to address their concerns. (CEBU NEWS)