More groups seek deal on 93-1 lots

CEBU, Philippines - Six more homeowner associations have met Governor Gwendolyn Garcia expressing interest to purchase the lots they are occupying.

The six homeowners associations are located mostly in Nivel Hills to Busay area.

Atty. Collin Rossell, chief of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor of Cebu City, helped set the meeting between the groups and the governor. Rossell said the groups have been waiting for an opportunity for negotiations but did not go where to go.

“Basin naa nasad istorya bahin sa pangahinte, kay pirme mana magpangahinte basta bahin sa yuta, wa ra ba mi mangahinte niini, ang amo lang nangahinte mi og serbisyo,” he said.

In the meeting, Garcia said the price of the lots will be based on the appraisal value, zonal value and present market value. She said it will be the Provincial Board that will decide on the final lot price, but assured that the price will be fair both for the homeowners and the Provincial Government.

Government financing institutions were also present during the meeting to extend help to the associations as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement signed by the Garcia and Vice President Jejomar Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Of the six groups that approached the province, only four can negotiate. This is because the group representing the Cebu Public School Teachers Association (CPTSA) is not covered under the defined areas of the 93-1m while the other group occupies Lot 2, which is not open for negotiation.

Garcia said that Lot 2, a 1.6-hectare area located along the highway, is an exception because Capitol is going to open it for public bidding. But Garcia assured them that a relocation site at CPTSA will be offered for them.

Atty. Marino Martinquilla, Legal Officer of the Province, said the area is a prime commercial site.

“Pasalamat gihapon mi nga gitagaan mi sa atong gobernador og relocation site kay sauna pa gyud, ang Lot 2 commercial lot na siya,” said Ma. Emma Laus, president of the Central Nivel Hills (Lot 2) Homeowners Association. While Lot 2 is no longer open for lot acquisition deals, residents occupying lots 1330, 1331, 1325 and 1405 are happy the governor has given them the chance to deal with the Capitol.

“Desidido nami na mu-pay aron mahuman. Pasalamat mi nga (makadeal mi ani)... makatulog na mi ug makaingon nga this is my land,” said Fe Basco, secretary of the Hill Top (lot 1405) Homeowners Association. (We decided that we would just pay for the lot and we are thankful for the chance to negotiate.)

The other day, officials of the Federation of Barangay Apas Homeowners and Residents, Inc. met with Garcia to express their interest to purchase the lots they are occupying. They are occupying lots that are part of the Central Command at Camp Lapu-Lapu.

Garcia welcomed their proposal but asked that they submit a letter to formalize their intention.

Garcia emphasized that she will only be dealing with legitimate and truthful associations to avoid being misled again following an experience with the Alliance of Barangay Apas Community Association (ABACA).

In 2009, Garcia welcomed negotiations with ABACA regarding lot acquisition.

However, the group, together with the former administration of the Cebu City Government, sued the Capitol for reversing the donated military reservation back to the province.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman was one of the previous complainants.

Garcia said the meeting would simply indicate that the affected residents have realized that politics is not the way to go to resolve the issue.

Others areas to be resolved are barangays Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Carreta, Lahug, Lorega, Luz, Mabolo and Tejero.  (FREEMAN)