Conflict on road at IT Park nears resolution

CEBU, Philippines - The conflict between Filinvest Land Inc. and the Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corporation may be resolved soon.

 In a special session yesterday, the Cebu Provincial Board passed separate resolutions authorizing Governor Hilario Davide III to enter into a me-morandum of agreement with FLI and CPVDC.

    “If that is enough to say it’s resolved, maybe, hopefully because sometimes there might be disagreement in the details that will be deal breakers,” said PB Member Peter John Calderon who authored the two resolutions.

 Subject to PB ratification, Calderon said the agreement, in principle, is aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted and continuous flow of foot and vehicular traffic in the area.

 Once signed by the parties, the agreement could be implemented pending ratification when the board resumes session on January 19.

 The CPVDC has agreed to provide perpetual pedestrian access and limited vehicular access for ingress and egress to and from the property, as well as to and from the Cebu I.T. Park along W. Geonzon Road and grant road right of way through all the roads inside the Cebu I.T. Park subject to conditions by CPVDC.

 The Province of Cebu, likewise, agreed to provide CPVDC additional access points to and from the Cebu I.T Park by granting CPVDC a perpetual road right of way through certain points in Salinas Drive and Gov. Cuenco Avenue subject to terms and conditions.

 The agreement will also tackle the issue on the existing wall along Geonzon St., which the court earlier ordered to restrain the Cebu City Government from destroying.

 Davide earlier expressed concern over the court order, which could further delay the joint venture of the Province and FLI.

 In 2012, the Province of Cebu entered into a build-operate-transfer agreement with FLI to construct a P1.76 billion BPO complex in the 12,290-square-meter Capitol property beside the Cebu I.T. Park.

 Section 2.06 (iii) of the BTO agreement states that the Province undertake to give FLI access and passage through W. Geonzon Street.

 FLI requested access through Geonzon Street towards its construction project adjacent the I.T. Park. CPVDC, though, has declined and even built a fence right beside the street to properly delineate the boundary.

 Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama intervened and threatened to demolish the perimeter wall of W. Geonzon Street by force.

 This prompted CPVDC to go to court and sought for TRO which was granted. (FREEMAN)