Capitol to sell Balili lot for P100 million

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government is willing to sell the controversial 24.7-hectare Balili property in Barangay Tinaan, City of Naga for P100 million, which is P20 million short of the buyer’s proposed purchase price.

It was stipulated under the draft memorandum of agreement (MOA), which was furnished to Naga City Mayor Kristine Chiong by the Capitol last Monday.

“P100 million ang gibutang sa draft and installment sab sya,” she said.

According to the MOA, the amount will be paid on an installment basis for three years.

Chiong said the city government, the buyer, is still reviewing the agreement.

“Ang price (P100 million) na sa original nga sale. Gipaulian lang sa Cebu provincial government ngadto sa Naga. Ongoing pa ang review namo sa MOA,” the mayor said.

In 2008, the property was bought by the Capitol during the administration of former governor and now Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia for P99.7 million based on the deed of sale.

The Capitol spent another P27.5 million for the property’s “restoration,” including the backfilling of the submerged portions of the Balili lot with limestone and soil.

The property is still subject to litigation before the Sandiganbayan.

Graft charges were filed against Garcia and other Capitol officials following the anomalous purchase of the land, whose title could not be converted from timberland to “public land.”

Department of Environment and Natural Resource-7’s survey showed that around 20 hectares of the property were submerged in sea water and planted with mangroves.

According to Governor Hilario Davide III, the property is composed of 10 parcels of land.

The Capitol is still asking the Sandiganbayan for its legal opinion on the proposed Balili lot sale.

With limited plain areas, Chiong said the city needs the property.

“Ang Naga, if you’ve noticed, has very limited plain or land area. So helpful kaayo that’s why ni-reclaim ta. Helpful kaayo ni, imagine its 24 hectares,” she said.

According to Chiong and Davide, the property is being eyed as an economic zone.

“Imagine the potential. It could be an economic or industrial zone or for other public purposes,” the city mayor told reporters yesterday. — KBQ (FREEMAN)