The Garcia-Binay pact, a 2013 electoral factor

The signing of an agreement between the Honorable Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and His Honor the Vice President of the Republic, Jejomar Binay, on an issue more commonly called as 93-1, is viewed by most among us as the soothing of a social unrest and more.

This document is the initial paper that will lead to the acquisition by the settlers of the parcels of land owned by the province but located in the city. If the parties to this instrument comply faithfully with all the terms and stipulations to their logical end, thousands of families will no longer fear that at sometime in the future they may be evicted from where their homes are erected. They will become the owners of their home lots.

To be sure, it is known as 93-1 because during the time of Gov. Vicente de la Serna, a provincial ordinance numbered 93-1 was approved. It was among the earliest pieces of socialized legislation passed in 1993 designed to address an inequity serving the root of social unrest. The ordinance allowed the settlers of the province-owned lots they were occupying by paying, in installment basis, a certain reasonable purchase price. There was a time frame provided but sadly, only a few availed of the program. Others did not comprehend the impact though still others took it for granted. Just the same, to benefit those who failed to appreciate the wisdom of the original ordinance, or were unable to heed it so for many reasons, the program was extended twice.

The occupants organized themselves into many associations. The ultimate objective was to avail of the lots on socialized rates, whatever that meant, although at the back of the mind of others, they simply intended to stay and hoped that somehow, they would be given the parcels they had long been staying on.

I had an honest conversation with a leader of one such organization. He told me that a former city official promised that these lots would be given to them, free. In consideration of such an assurance, they continued to support all of his political moves in the city. It did not dawn on him that the promisor was not even the owner of the land and therefore could not make such a commitment.

Perhaps, he saw from my eyes an expression of disbelief. So, he inquired why I looked skeptical. To avoid a very long discussion where I would just appear to be villain, I told this organization man to ask the settlers of a property owned by the Ortega family in Hippodromo or the occupants of the lots surrounding the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center if they also heard the same promise by the politician and more importantly, if he fulfilled his commitment.

Anyway, these occupants of the province owned lots have, for decades, been hoping to be able to buy their home lots for all meaningful reasons. In many passed times, they faced uncertainty. There were occasions that they felt betrayed by government leaders.

To them, there is only one solution, the one contained in Ordinance 93-1. Fortunately, this is now apparently embodied in the Garcia-Binay document. When allowed to purchase these lots, they shore up their feeling of security. There will be no more threats of demolition. They can proceed to make their homes in whatever way they want to and no matter how much the cost be.

I am sure that these beneficiaries of the 93-1 program are a grateful people. They will feel a deep sense of gratitude to the visible personalities who played vital roles in making their dreams of owning their home lots a reality. In this instance, they are the governor and the vice president.

This is a factor this coming 2013 elections. With the governor pursuing vigorously the transfer of the ownership of these lots to the occupants, she will enjoy tremendous goodwill. The thousands of voters settling in these lots believe that the break given them is a gift of the governor. While the highly urbanized status of the city insulates the city from the provincial electoral processes, the governor’s endorsement will tilt a heavy influence.