Developer signs MOA to prioritize Apas residents for Ciudad project

CEBU, Philippines - The developer of the Ciudad project put in writing their commitment not to displace residents of Barangay Apas, Cebu City, once the project is undertaken.

Yesterday, the Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp. and Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman signed a memorandum of agreement to prioritize Apas residents in the hiring of workers during the implementation of the project.

Michael Lloyd Dino, the chief operations officer, said they really mean business when they signed the MOA yesterday.

Dino said they will be providing 2,000 jobs for the entire project. The workers will be hired once they meet the company’s qualifications, he said.

Ayuman said they saw the potential of the project after studying it, saying they are setting aside politics from the matter.

The implementation of Ciudad has been stalled by the opposition of some Cebu City officials—mostly allied with then Cebu City mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña—who believe that the project would worsen traffic congestion in the Banilad-Talamban corridor.

As earlier claimed by Fifth Avenue, Ciudad will open four access roads in Barangays Lahug and Apas so that traffic from the Banilad-Talamban area will not be concentrated on Gov. M. Cuenco Ave.

Ayuman said an ordinance submitted by Osmeña stopping the developments along the Banilad-Talamban corridor, is now considered moot and academic.

After the public hearing on October 21, Roger Gopaoco, consultant for sales and marketing for the Ciudad project, said they will start construction of the project once they secure the environmental compliance certificate.

Gopaoco hopes for the public hearing to go smooth. (FREEMAN)