Cebu City gets pledges for 5 more MRBs

CEBU, Philippines —  Several property developers promised to build at least five more medium-rise residential buildings (MRBs) in Cebu City as part of their corporate social responsibility and in compliance with the Urban Development and Housing Act.

Residents affected by the ongoing clearing operations to restore the three-meter easement of the rivers and other waterways, fire victims, and those displaced by other development projects in the city will be prioritized as beneficiaries.

City Hall employees who do not have a house of their own may also avail of the housing units.

Interestingly, most of those who pledged to build the MRBs are also the same companies and individuals who promised to help finish the Cebu City Medical Center. The pledges were a result of Mayor Michael Rama’s week-long “investment promotion” in Manila.

In a press conference yesterday, Lawyer Colin Rosell said the commitments they have from the property developers to build MRBs is part of their compliance of the Republic Act (RA) 7279, as amended by RA 10884 or the balanced housing where developers of proposed subdivision and condominium projects develop an area for socialized housing.

Earlier, Cebu Landmaster Inc. (CLI) built an MRB in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel. The P115 million residential building was turned over to the city government mid this year.

Rosell said they are expecting that the upcoming five MRBs will be worth around P575 million.

According to him, these companies have long been interested to build MRBs in the city but had problems in securing lots. Rosell said since they have already the commitments, the city government will start the inventory of its properties where these projects will be undertaken.

Meanwhile, Rama said that private developers who are found to have violated the three-meter easement zone will be required to provide relocation to those affected by the clearing operations within their project. — FPL (FREEMAN)