CPA says city can't use Compania Maritima for Carbon redevelopment project

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Port Authority has opposed the use and conversion of the Compania Maritima area for the joint venture agreement of the Cebu City government and Megawide Construction Corporation.

CPA General Manager Leonilo Miole conveyed the port authority’s position through a letter dated November 3, 2021 addressed to acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. Miole reminded the city government and its partner that the property is still subject of a pending case before the Regional Trial Court.

 “The property is subject of litigation since July 2015 at the Regional Trial Court branch 10 and docketed as Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Cebu Ports Authority vs. City of Cebu et al. case no.CEB-41917 for injunction with Quieting of Title,” read part of the letter.

According to Miole, CPA has allowed the city government a temporary use of the property as parking for the city employees pending the resolution of the case.

However, the CPA finds the recent developments in the area jointly undertaken by the city government and Megawide as “unlawful”. Miole said the CPA does not consent to the development in the area.

“Converting CPA’s property without the latter’s consent and over its objection is deplorable, reprehensible, and shows the lack of prudence on the part of the City of Cebu,” said Miole.

He also mentioned in his letter the case filed by the Carbohanong alyansa Alang sa Reporma ug Bahandianong Ogma sa mga Nanginabuhi (CARBON) among other against Megawide.

The CPA demanded on August 10, 2021that the city government and Megawide remove all materials installed within the contested premises and desist from doing any type of works or use of their property.

Miole said the demand was ignored and has even created tension between CPA’s security force and the city government’s own security personnel.

CPA also told Rama that there are no matters pending with the Cebu Port Commission or any departments of the CPA regarding alleged negotiations for co-administration by the City of Cebu and CPA of the Compania Maritima area contrary to a statement made by the City Legal Office.

“Whatever may be the City of Cebu and Megawide’s “plan” about the Compania Maritima area, CPA is not a party thereto and has chosen instead to pursue its resource to the court of law to restore whatever rightfully belongs to CPA,” Miole stressed.

Councilor Nestor Archival, in a privilege speech yesterday, brought the CPA’s objection on the use of the Compania Maritima area for the Carbon redevelopment project.

Rama said they will let the case to proceed as it concerned about legalities. But the acting mayor said the project will proceed as plan with the assurance that all concerns raised by the affected vendors will be addressed.

Rama said he was happy that the Megawide decided to retain the Freedom Park in its present location. The acting mayor is set to have a series of meetings concerning the project in the days to come.

But he assured the members of the City Council that he is pursuing “curative measures” on the joint venture agreement.

The members of the City Council headed by acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros agreed to visit Carbon Market next week to see for themselves the current situation of the area as well as the vendors. — FPL (FREEMAN)