Capitol: Tom can’t use UP lot as squatters’ relocation site

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña cannot just give the lot of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas Cebu College as relocation site for squatters as this will violate the existing deed of donation signed by the Capitol and the school president.

This was according to provincial legal officer Marino Mantiquilla when he learned that Osmeña in a "pulong-pulong" assured affected residents he is ready to give the UPVCC a relocation site either at the North Reclamation Area or the South Road Properties to prevent eviction of residents.

Osmeña, along with the candidates of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan, vowed they would prevent eviction of barangay Lahug residents.

Some 1,400 families in sitios Salinas Extension, Kamagong, NGA, Sto. Niño Tesda, Maracas, Anapog, Brookside Valley, Sudlon Riverside and Bayanihan Sanjercasville face eviction after the land swap agreement between the city government and Capitol got aborted.

In Avocado and San Roque Kamagong, more residents face eviction from the UPVCC lot they are occupying. The lot originally belonged to the Province, but was turned over to UPVCC for educational use.

Under the existing Deed of Donation signed by then governor Francisco Remotigue and then UP president Carlos Romulo dated December 31, 1964, the 14-hectare lot must solely be used for academic purposes.

"Dili na mahimo kung wala’y pagtugot sa probinsya. Gi-clarify naman na nga wala’y development without the participation and consent of the province," Mantiquilla said.

Mantiquilla also said that it would be a risk for the university if they will allow any development outside academic purposes, as it will lead to the revocation of the existing deed of donation.

"Daghan sila’g plano sa ilang lot related to academic purposes, but as to how to develop their lot, kana mao’y ilang problema kay naa nama’y nag-occupy," Mantiquilla said. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV