Fence delays FLI Cyberzone project

CEBU, Philippines -  Filinvest Cyberzone Cebu's operation has been delayed for around two years due to the fence owned by Cebu Property Ventures Development Corporation in Barangay Apas.

 Maricel Lirio, vice president for Office Leasing Cyberzone Properties, Inc., said the business should have been operational by December 2012, but because of the wall they could not have the direct access towards the site. Filinvest Cyberzone is a P4-billion business process outsourcing hub.

 She said it is the only direct access to the site. In fact, according to her, they lost one tenant early this year because of the wall.

Earlier, CPVDC and Asiatown IT Park Association Inc. filed a civil case for injunction before the court stopping Filinvest Land Inc., Engineer Allan Alfon, Megawide Construction Corporation, Engineer Nazareno Abalos, and the City of Cebu from demolishing the fence separating their property from the adjacent project.

 CPVDC and AITPAI stated in their complaint that the fence cannot be declared as "public nuisance" and they have clear legal rights to protect their property.

  "Plaintiffs CPVDC and AIPAI have clear legal rights to be protected against the illegal acts of defendants FLI, MCC and (of) the City calculated to take down or topple down subject CPVDC perimeter fence," they said.

 CPVDC also presented earlier before the court a Manila-based engineer named Jonas Arjona of Makati Development Corporation to support its appeal for a preliminary injunction to stop the destruction of its perimeter fence.

 He said he is in no doubt that it is within the I.T. Park which is owned by CPVDC.

Alfon, however, said that it is clearly stated in Build Transfer Operate Contract with the Cebu provincial government that FLI is guaranteed unhampered and unrestricted access to W. Geonzon Street where the fence is located. The Province owned the lot where the said establishment is built. The said street has already been declared by the city government as public road but CPVDC stands that they have the land title over the street.

 "We continue to trust the Province of Cebu especially the Governor," Alfon said.

Alfon said they are hoping that by next month the wall will be demolished to start the operation as soon as possible.

 Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said during the inauguration of the establishment last Friday that he is hoping that both parties will reach a settlement as soon as possible.

 "Kining wall has been the source discomfort sa parties ang ako ta my Chirstmas wish is for Filinvest and CPVDC magkasinabot sila and torn down the wall, that would be the best gift. After all they are here because they want to do business in Cebu," Davide said.

 City Mayor Michael Rama who was also present during the event shared the same hopes with Davide.

 "We just have to look forward that it will end well," Rama said. (FREEMAN)