Governor seeks PB nod on 93-1 pact

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has asked the Provincial Board to grant him authority to enter into an agreement with the Cebu City government on the province-owned properties under Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1.

"With your support, it is my hope and prayer that we will finally be able to resolve this 23-year-old issues," Davide in his November 29 letter.

In response, the PB, in Monday's regular session, referred the request to Board Member Jude Thadeo Sybico, vice chairman of the committee on properties, for further study.

Davide said the Memorandum of Agreement was jointly prepared by representatives from both local governments after several discussions.

Based on the proposed MOA, the 32.4 hectares, which are the remaining total of the unpaid/unsold portions of the properties and the corresponding rights and interest under Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1, shall be transferred to the city through exchange of properties.

Today, there will be a “ceremonial” signing of the MOA between the Cebu Province and Cebu City to settle the 93-1 lot issue at 1:30 p.m. at Plaza Sugbu. This is part of the city's Urban Poor Solidarity Week celebration, which is on December 2 to 8.

Under the agreement, the province agrees to this "...provided that the city shall respect the rights and interest of the beneficiaries and shall extend, formally initiate and implement its socialized housing program over said portions for the 93-1 beneficiaries."

Occupants of the 32.4-hectare properties were unable to pay in full the amount of their respective home lots.

Provincial Ordinance 93-1 was approved by the Provincial Board in 1993. It covers 51 hectares of land owned by the province but are occupied by residents of Cebu City.

It is subdivided to at least 4,364 home lots in 11 different barangays, namely: Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega San Miguel, Kasambagan, and Tejero.

However, only 1,445 of these home lots, which are occupied by city residents, have been fully paid for. Of the remaining home lots, 1,188 are not fully paid while 1,731 have not been paid for at all.

Based on an April 4, 2008 appraisal and adapted in 2011 by the Cebu Provincial Appraisal Committee, the 32.4-hectare lots are worth P2.96 billion. In a 1990 appraisal, it was only valued at P338.3 million.

According to the MOA, the properties under 93-1 shall be disposed of or used for socialized housing program only.  In addition to the 93-1 properties, the province proposes to "transfer, convey or donate" properties for the city's use and purpose.

These include a portion of the province's property located at the Department of Agriculture compound on M. Velez Street, Cebu City in Barangay Guadalupe, consisting of at least 1.5 hectares covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 19334.

Of the 1.5 hectares, one hectare is set to be used by the city as school site and half hectare as relocation site for informal settlers of Capitol properties (Lot Nos. 929 and 930 and 3-A-1) on Governor Manuel Cuenco Avenue (beside I.T. Park ). Another property is a lot along Gorordo Avenue in Barangay Lahug consisting of 2,358 square meters, which would be used by the city as a police station, and the property on Don. Gil Street in Barangay Capitol Site consisting of 577 square meters.

The details and technical descriptions of these properties would be indicated in the Deed of Conveyance/exchange/assignment to be executed between the province and the city.

“Upon signing of this agreement and without prejudice to the execution of a final deed of conveyance/exchange,/assignment and turn-over of all deeds, documents , certificates of title and other evidence of title, the province shall exchange the unpaid /unsold lots covered under 93-1, as well as the three other parcels of land owned by the province , with the properties owned by and registered in the name of the city,” read the proposed MOA.

The city government agreed to swap the city’s property with that of the province-owned lots under 93-1, including the 13,711-square meter lot of its  Sewerage Treatment Plant and 2,475-square-meter slaughterhouse at the North Reclamation Area; a 2.5-hectare property at the South Road Properties; a nine-hectare property in Pulpogan, Consolacion; and the 3.3-hectare Block 27, Block 27-A and Block 27-B, including the road between them, at the North Reclamation Area.

These properties shall be applied or credited as payment for the outstanding obligation of the 93-1 beneficiaries.

“The parties, through the Governor and Mayor, and their respective legislative bodies, guided by a unified and noble intention, have come to join hands to advance all possible means to resolve the issues surrounding the properties covered by Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1,” read the MOA. (FREEMAN)