Inventory of city facilities sought

CEBU, Philippines -  Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante wants the General Services Office to submit an inventory of all government facilities and their usage, including those that are unused or unoccupied.

According to Villarante, the inventory will serve as a guide for the City Council to know what facilities are unused by the city government.

Last Tuesday's council session, City Councilor Doroteo Emit was asking Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to purchase the 4,465-square meter privately-owned property in Barangay Dumlog to serve as relocation site and proposed area for a housing project intended for the homeless residents.

But the proposal was deferred for further study.

While the city government every year allocates P50 million for lot purchases for its urban poor families, Villarante said the amount is intended for payment of purchases of lots in the previous years.

"We are checking if there are available funds to purchase the property," Villarante said.

Emit said the property is covered under Tax Declaration Nos. T-90694 and T-5665 declared under the name of Lalucha Rafols.

The Local Housing Board Sub-Committee on Infrastructure already inspected and evaluated the property for its viability and showed a passing rate of 85 percent.

Emit said providing additional shelter and various housing projects is one of the priority programs of the present administration for the advancement, best interest, and general welfare of the homeless Talisaynons.

Records at the Talisay City Local Housing Office, there are more than 16,000 families in the city who are landless and the city has a total of more than 20 relocation sites, city-owned or bought and developed for its landless and homeless constituents.  (FREEMAN)