PB wants guidelines for real property purchases

CEBU, Philippines - To prevent a repeat of purchases like the Balili controversy, the Cebu Provincial Board has started setting the procedures and guidelines for the acquisition or procurement of real properties.

Opposition PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy initiated the move by sponsoring a proposed ordinance to be known as the Real Property Purchase Ordinance of the Province of Cebu.

The said measure was calendared in yesterday’s regular session of the PB for first reading but Sitoy moved for its deferment.

The proposal covers all purchase transactions that the province may enter into involving real property or properties amounting to P1 million and above.

The governor is given the prerogative to determine the necessity, viability, and expediency of acquiring/procuring real properties for beneficial use by the Province.

It is stipulated in the draft ordinance the processes from ocular inspection and actual appraisal by the Provincial Appraisal Committee, reporting to the governor, governor’s action on report, PB resolution of authority to negotiate, commencement of negotiation, conduct of negotiation, drafting of the memorandum of agreement, PB authority to enter into a MOA and the signing of the MOA.

Other provisions include the ratification of the MOA, drafting of the deed of sale, signing of the deed of sale, ratification of the deed of sale, preparation of voucher for payment; mode, place and time of payment and appropriation in the budget.

The measure prohibits any officials and employees of the Province to act as brokers that may be purchased by the Province.

In the proposed resolution embodying the proposed ordinance, Sitoy cited the Balili lot purchase which sparked a long-running controversy.

“Instituting a systematic, definitive, and clear-cut procedures and guidelines governing the purchase of real properties by the Province of Cebu is indispensably necessary in order to ensure that transactions of such nature shall at all times be above-board and within the bounds of propriety and transparency,” the resolution read.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed anti-graft charges against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other officials and individuals before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of the 25-hectare Balili estate in Tinaan, Naga City in the amount of P99-million.

It was found out that 80,124 square meters, or more than eight hectares of the property, was submerged and 14,402 square meters are mangrove areas.   (FREEMAN)