Alvin says he is the answer to the problem on 93-1 lots

CEBU, Philippines - If given the chance to serve again, Cebu City mayoral candidate Alvin Garcia believes he is the answer to the problem of the occupants of the province-owned lots who are now facing threat of eviction following the failed land swap deal between the city and provincial governments.

The former city mayor said the problem is not with the provincial government but with Mayor Tomas Osmeña who quarreled with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

“Siya pa’y nanghangyo siya pa’y nangaway,” Alvin said, adding that his cousin, Gwendolyn, is not an unreasonable person who will not consider the situation of the urban poor occupying the province-owned lots. In fact, he said the governor helped Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann de los Santos when some of her residents were harassed by the city government.

Alvin said that he is not against the proposed land swap and if he gets elected, he will pursue the plan. He believes that his good relation with the governor will make the land-swapping possible. He also assured those who are occupying the areas that are critical to the interest of the province and necessary to be recovered will be given the mandatory relocation site.

“If there are areas critical to the interest of the province and they will get it I am sure that those affected will be given relocation site,” the former mayor said.

Several city residents who are beneficiaries of the Provincial Ordinance 93-1 mostly in barangays Lahug, Apas and Luz are facing eviction by the province because of the ongoing efforts of the governor to recover the Capitol’s properties.

The problem would have been solved by now had the proposed land-swapping deal materialized. However, the negotiation between the governor and the mayor bogged down after Vice Mayor Michael Rama delivered a privilege speech before the City Council saying the proposal is disadvantageous to the city and calling province as “dawat lang og limpyo.” — Fred P. Languido/WAB(FREEMAN NEWS)