Mandaue yet to get title for City Hall lot

CEBU, Philippines – Believe it or not, the lot where the Mandaue City Hall is standing has not yet been named under the city.

This was revealed by Lawyer Carmelita Terez, the city's consultant on real property and titling, when she was invited during the City Council's most recent session.

Terez said the 3,000-square meter lot where the City Hall is erected and the 800-square meter property where the abandoned public market stands are still operating under tax declarations.

"I don't know why. There are several properties of the city that have yet to be titled," said Terez when interviewed by the media.

Terez said the City Hall lot was acquired even before Mandaue became a city in 1969, and although it is already owned by the city, it has not yet been titled.

Terez said Mayor Jonas Cortes has reportedly given this special assignment to her, and she hopes that before the year ends, they will get the titles for the two properties.

She said with the help of the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office, they have already submitted to the Land Management Bureau in Manila the requirements for the entitlement of the two properties.

"We need it (the title). That belongs to the city like the rest of the properties that are already titled," she said of the importance of titling these lots. (FREEMAN)