Talisay will go to court if city sells disputed lot

Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas yesterday thanked the Cebu City government for not including in the sale the portion of the South Road Properties that Talisay City is claiming to be within its territorial jurisdiction.

Gullas said that although most of the properties at the SRP are already titled under the name of Cebu City, it does not mean that Talisay City would concede with its claims.

In case Cebu City sells that controversial portion, Gullas said that they “can always contest it in the court.”

The former Talisay City mayor said that the move of Cebu City not to include the disputed lot in the sale is an “admission” that Talisay City owns that part.

The Cebu City government recently claimed that at least 210 hectares of the estimated 300-hectare SRP are already titled under the name of Cebu City.

“I am elated and would like to thank Cebu City for the gesture of not including the lots and area claimed by Talisay City in the sale. This is clear evidence that Cebu City therefore recognizes the right of Talisay City,” Gullas said in a phone interview with The Freeman.

The legislator explained that Talisay City has 10 years to file its adverse claim against Cebu City. However, he said that since 2004, Talisay has not yet filed the case as he does not want to “financially burden” the city.

In 2003, Gullas blocked the application of Cebu City for special patents for the SRP, claiming more than 50 hectares of the 300-hectare facility has encroached in the territory of Talisay City. 

However, Gullas said that during the past years, they opted not to file the case knowing the city would be asked to pay for the amortization of the property once the court would grant their prayers.

The lawmaker said that the case is a strong one as they have the results of the two surveys from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources corroborating Talisay’s claim as “evidence.” He however did not say if they are filing the case soon, saying they are on the “wait-and-see” move as to what will be next action to take with regards to this matter.

FLI and the Cebu City Government are currently negotiating for the purchase of around 10 to 13 hectares of the SRP and a venture with the city for the development of another 40 hectares that is expected to earn the city government an estimated P250 million yearly. The 53.44 hectares that is being claimed by Talisay City is not included in the sale.

Talisay City Administrator Richel Bacaltos said he will still confer with Talisay City Assessor Alma Abellanosa on the status of the land claim.

In a separate interview, former Talisay City administrator Aurora Econg said she had then a document protesting the survey made by the NAMRIA on the plotting of boundaries on municipal waters before she stopped serving the Talisay City administration.

She said it was clear from the very beginning that MBM 30, which delineated the waters of Talisay from Cebu City, was wrongly plotted and that it is now within the portion that is being claimed by Talisay City.

She said Talisay City has all the chances in pursuing its claim, but they seemed to be forgotten already after she stopped serving the city hall.

Econg however said she is still willing to help Gullas should he need her assistance in pursuing Talisay City’s claim over the portion of the SRP.—Liv G. Campo and Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)