Apas lot development 350 families to be affected

CEBU, Philippines- Almost 350 families living in upper Don Bosco, Barangay Apas will be displaced once the lessee of the 1.37-hectare lot they are occupying will develop the property.

Lot 941 in Upper Don Bosco is occupied by 170 households with two to three families in each household. Almost 350 families will be displaced if the lot will be developed, said Edgardo Bongoyan, chairman of the Upper Don Bosco Community Livelihood Association, Inc.

The lot is owned by the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority but was reportedly left idle for 10 years until informal settlers started occupying it.

In 2009, MCIAA leased the property to businessman Richard Unchuan who tried to fence the area but was stopped by then Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Bongoyan said MCIAA tried demolishing the houses of the settlers back in 2004 but the move did not succeed because the court dismissed the case for forcible entry.

In an interview with The Freeman, Bongoyan said they were shocked after learning that MCIAA and Unchuan amended the leasehold agreement last June 20, without their knowledge.

“The lessee (Unchuan)…at its own expense and without right of reimbursement, to assist the lessor (MCIAA) in diligently removing and ejecting any and all irregular, unlawful and informal occupants/settlers in…lot 941 located in Banilad,” the lease agreement reads.

“In order for the lessee (Unchuan) or its assignees to perform its undertaking in ‘other valuable consideration’, the lessor (MCIAA) hereby authorizes the former to assist the latter in initiating and pursuing legal action to evict illegal settlers to prevent any unauthorized person from entering its premises and to construct a fence, guardhouse and other similar structures necessary to prevent further intrusion of illegal settlers and/or trespassers thereto,” the agreement further reads.

“Unaware mi ana because we thought the case was already over. Naa man katungod mga affected residents nga pahibaw-on before sila nagpinirmahay unta,” Bongoyan said.

He said the residents have lived in Lot 941 since the 1980s.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman claimed that the lease contract is “disadvantageous,” pointing out that Unchuan is only paying more than P25,905 a month or P310,860 per annum for the identified prime lots, including lots 72, 77, 93 and 104.

Upper Don Bosco Community Livelihood Association, Inc. is now appealing to MCIAA to let them lease their properties.

“Makaya man namo mobayad og P25,000 a month ngano adto pa man ipa-lease ni Unchuan. Gihatag nalang unta namo nga dugay na diha namuyo,” Bongoyan said.

Lawyer Jade Ponce, City Land Management Council chairman, said the city will investigate the issue because it involves the city’s constituents.

“Atong gibantayan possible dislocation of families…we have to look after their welfare because the people who are about to be affected atong constituents. We’ll look if it’s done fairly, logically, legally including the implementation is it in the ambit of the law,” he said.

Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairman of the City Council committee on housing, said Lot 941 was declared a socialized housing site through Ordinance No. 1866 passed on November 15, 2000.

However, the socialized housing program was reportedly never implemented due to lack of approval and cooperation on the part of MCIAA.   – /JMO) (FREEMAN)