VM orders appraisal of lots for schools

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella has requested the Local Appraisal Committee to appraise two different parcels of land in Barangays Busay and Sapangdaku for the permanent construction of new school sites.

Labella considered as urgent projects the construction of new elementary schools in Barangays Busay and Sapangdaku.

For Barangay Sapangdaku, he stated in his letter that the city government might be constrained to seek expropriation proceedings since the identified private land owner has not responded to the city government’s communication.

He requested the LAC to appraise the property so that the city government could make a formal offer for its purchase before the expropriation proceedings.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-7 earlier identified Barangay Sapangdaku as highly susceptible to flood with Sapangdaku Elementary School more vulnerable as it is located near the Guadalupe River.

Labella considers the concern at the Sapangdako Elementary School as urgent compared to that of Busay Elementary School since Sapangdaku barangay hall transactions are affected since the school is now holding classes inside the building.

“There were two letters and no reply until now but I will still try to see them personally. If that fails, we will resort to expropriation,” he added.

He said that if the lot owner would further object, there will be a hearing.

“In the principle of imminent domain, it is the inherent right of the state to acquire private property upon payment of just compensation for a public use. Since it is a public school, it is logically a public use,” he said.

For Busay Elementary School, Labella said that the private-owner of a bigger and safer property in Barangay Busay is amenable to sell the lot.

“In this regard, may I please request the Local Appraisal Committee to appraise the land so that we may be guided in acting on the owner’s offer of P5,000 per square meter,” the letter reads.

MGB also identified Busay Elementary School as highly susceptible to landslide and the school is currently holding classes at the sports complex of the barangay. —/ATO (FREEMAN)