MANILA, Philippines — At least 3,200 beneficiaries of a 32-hectare government property in Barangay Apas in Cebu City may finally own the lots they are occupying.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and representatives of concerned agencies signed a compromise agreement on Sunday for the award of the property.
Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who issued Proclamation 409 declaring the area as a socialized housing site when she was president in 2003, witnessed the signing of the agreement.
The compromise deal, which was attested by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Housing Authority and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, will be submitted to the Cebu City regional trial court for resolution.
In 2005, the Cebu City council passed ordinances declaring Barangay Apas as a socialized housing site.
The land was owned by the Cebu provincial government until it was donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Oct. 12, 1959.
Only 14 of the 47 parcels of land were used and occupied by the AFP’s Central Command.
Of the remaining 33 parcels, 18 or 32.37 hectares are covered by Proclamation 409. – Odessa Leyson/The Freeman