City to give Capitol share in lot sale

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is amenable to the idea that the Province of Cebu should get a share from the proceeds of the Lahug lot sale.

Mayor Michael Rama, however, said that to grant the request now is not yet possible as the deal has yet to be sealed.

“Di man kinahanglan pangayoon kay wa paman mahalin. As far as the governor is concern di ko magproblema ana. Nothing can be consummated until I will have the authority coming from the council that I will have to sign,” Rama told reporters.

The City Council still has to authorize Rama to enter into and sign the Deed of Sale and Deed of Conditional Sale with Hotel Asia Inc. as the highest bidder in order “to consummate the sale, facilitate the transfer of the certificate of title and other processes” in relation to the bid out property.

Governor Hilario Davide III earlier asked Rama for a 50 percent share in the proceeds of the sale of 2,357 square meters Lot 917 in Barangay Lahug to help the Yolanda stricken-areas in Northern Cebu.

“Ngano di man ta motabang nila na motabang man gani ta sa laing probinsya. We are willing to help because we are one,” he said.

Lot 917 was one of the properties donated to the city government by the Province of Cebu in 1964.

But Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino is contesting the selling of the lot, which is adjacent to theirs.

The hotel has long been interested in acquiring the lot which the city awarded to Hotel Asia Inc. after it posted the highest bid of P35,000 per square meter last December.

It asked the city to hold in abeyance the award on the ground that the bidding conducted allegedly failed to comply with the requirement that the notice of bidding should be advertised in printed notices for not less than three consecutive days.

Waterfront claimed that the notice of bidding was advertised two days before the intended public auction sale.

Rama warned complainants to be prudent and have legal basis otherwise, they will be fighting with the city government.

“I wish they would circumspect as to their moves. But I will not stop them if they have grievance because that is part of the democracy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rama together with Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, Davide and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale are set to meet on March 14 to discuss not on the matter but of the lots previously known as 93-1, Cebu City Zoo, Fuente Osmeña Rotunda, and among others that are owned by the provincial government.

As to 93-1, Rama said he told Davide and Magpale that a P500 million would be included in the city’s annual budget. The P500 million is broken into P200 million to acquire the 93-1 properties and P300 million would be allocated for its development.

“We want to simplify matters as to the social justice and responsibility of the state and LGU to take care of its constituency,” he said.

Rama did not elaborate further the whole discussion but rather said it was a positive and fruitful discussion.  (FREEMAN)