UHRI told: Explain demolition at SRP

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is demanding from the Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. to explain the demolition of 10-year old Sugbu Building and the Senior Citizens Building on Kawit Island at the South Road Properties.

Atty. Jose Daluz III, head of the SRP Management Office, said the city government should be informed if these demolitions have followed the right procedure like securing clearance from the Commission on Audit.

“Did we dispose of the property correctly before nag-demolish ta?  That property is very valuable. That’s the senior citizen and the sugbo building. It should have been appraised pilay value ana and the city should be compensated before ma-demolish,” he told The FREEMAN.

The demolition of the two buildings would pave the way for the construction of the P18 billion integrated resorts and casino in the area.

In his initial investigation, Daluz said he was told that the UHRI has secured permits from the Office of the Building Officials (OBO) and the Department of the General Services during the previous administration.

 “Dili man ma-declare ang senior citizen ug sugbo building as uninhabitable. That was operating as SRP office, senior citizen bag-o lang gali nahuman. It cannot be subject to a summary demolition. Gi- appraise gyud unta to ang property,” he added.

Daluz gave UHRI at least five days to submit its written explanation with the corresponding attachments. Since the new administration took over City Hall, he said UHRI management has not paid a courtesy visit yet.

Daluz said that initial information is that the previous administration and UHRI have agreed replicate the buildings at Magellan’s Park at no cost to the government.

 “Ingon sila gitukod sa atbang sa City Hall, which is a three-story building, that is in lieu of the giguba nga building. But, is it the same value? Value for value mani supposedly kay kon pilay value ato, they have to exchange the same value sa ilang giguba,” he added.

Granting that UHRI has secured all permits, Daluz said the city should be informed if the company sought appraisal of the two buildings that were demolished.

He said the city government should be properly compensated on the demolished buildings that are “valuable” properties of the city.

“We don’t want to quarrel with them. Nagpadala ko og suwat for them to explain kon sakto ba ilang procedure. Regular ba ilang procedure sa pag demolish,” he added.

The P18 billion integrated resort and casino on the city’s Kawit Island at SRP will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase includes commercial or shopping center, integrated resort facility, convention center, performing arts theater, themed park and iconic public art, one hotel, parking lot, and the casino.

For the second phase, UHRI will construct two more hotels on the third and fourth year after the signing of the Joint Venture Agreement. — FPL (FREEMAN)