Family gets right to develop Talisay lot

CEBU, Philippines - Despite objection from the opposition, the Talisay City council approved a proposed measure that seeks to allow a private individual to lease a government property in barangay Poblacion. 

Voting 8-3, the Talisay City council adopted a resolution authorizing Mayor Socrates Fernandez to grant 10-years right to lease a government property at barangay Poblacion to Jereza-Haron Property in order to jump start commercial development in the area. 

Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, proponent of the resolution, said the family has expressed interest to lease the lot for the development that would foster tourist attraction in the area citing that the proposed development is designed to complement the historically significant American landing site. 

The lot is located in front of the USP Compound across the Poblacion Barangay Hall with only an area of 35-square meters. 

But opposition City Councilor Romeo Villarante believes that it is no longer necessary for a private individual to lease the property in order to develop the area for tourist attraction and for commercial purposes.            

Villarante said “it is better left to the city or to the barangay to develop the property.” 

However, the minority block, which only consists of Danilo Caballero, Valeriano Ylanan, and Villarante, lost on numbers. 

Oscar Jereza Jr., a representative of the family, told the city council that his family’s objective is to beautify the area fronting the property, which is currently occupied by informal vendors. 

“Our intention is to assist the beautification initiatives of the City of Talisay since property is located on the way to the landing site monument,” Jereza said.  (FREEMAN)