More 93-1 beneficiaries receive lot titles from Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - Salome Pacomio, 89, arrived at the Lahug Sports Complex on a wheelchair.

Despite her physical disability due to old age, Salome made sure to come early to be able to personally receive the land titles that were distributed by the provincial government being one of the beneficiaries of the Provincial Ordinance 93-1.

Salome’s daughter, Nanette, said her mother had long been waiting for the lot titles so she could finally have a proof that she already owns the land where she resides. 

“Dugay na kaayo ni niyang gipaabot ug gipangandoy nga maiya na ang iyang gipuy-an,” Nanette said.

Yesterday, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia distributed deeds of absolute sale to 56 residents of Barangay Lahug who are occupying the province-owned lots. They are already the third batch of residents to receive land titles.

Lahug is just one of the city barangays where province owned lots are located and covered by the Provincial Ordinance 93-1. Other barangays that are covered by the same ordinance are Apas, Luz, Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Busay, T. Padilla, Kalunasan, Lorega San Miguel, Mabolo, Kasambagan and Tejero.

Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann de los Santos thanked Garcia, Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez and the Provincial Board for their help particularly to her constituents.

Garcia, along with Sanchez and Provincial Board Members Jose Ma. Gastardo and Wenceslao Gakit and the department heads, were at the Lahug Sports Complex to personally distribute the titles. 

“Atong bansay-bansayon ang atong address – sa syudad ba o sa probinsya,” De los Santos said.

De los Santos reminded her constituents that nobody from the city government helped them to acquire the titles.

“Who helped you acquire your lot? Naa ba? Nobody. Nobody except Governor Garcia and Vice Governor Sanchez and the provincial board. Ngano man? Simple kay this is a provincial lot,” De los Santos told the residents of Lahug.

Of the 4,358 homeowners who are beneficiaries of the Ordinance 93-1, only 1,440 have already paid their obligations. The remaining occupants are yet to receive their deeds of absolute sale by batch once they fully paid their obligations. Majority of the beneficiaries however failed to pay even with the extended deadline given to them by the provincial government. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)