City to buy lot for housing site

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is set to purchase over one hectare of land to develop a socialized housing site for urban poor families in the city.

With this, Councilor Hanz Abella authored a resolution authorizing Mayor Michael Rama to enter into and sign a memorandum of agreement with spouses Avenescio and Carmelita Piramide to have the city purchase the couple’s lot in Barangay Pit-os amounting to P20.9 million.

Apart from the MOA, a resolution was lobbied at the City Council for Rama to sign a deed of absolute sale for the purchase of the 10,432 square meters lot at P2,000 per square meter, which is lower than the P2,200 appraised value of the City Appraisal Committee.

The Local Housing Board and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor recommended for the procurement of the property.

Prospective beneficiaries are qualified informal settlers, especially those occupying danger zones and waterways in Cebu, or families living within the three-meter easement along city’s rivers.

Based on the proposed MOA, the city will pay upon the signing of the said agreement. The remaining amount will be paid only during the transfer of the lot title.

The proposal was referred to the council’s committee on housing for perusal.  (FREEMAN)