Cebu City Hall coop eyes housing for employees

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government Employees Housing Cooperative (CCGEHC) has been revived, this time with support from a local developer with medium-rise buildings in focus.

The group had a general meeting last Saturday with a renewed hope that this time, its dream of having its own homes will finally become a reality after its supposed first project encountered some problems in the past.

“So far wa gyud maka-kick because before, there was an attempt, pero naay problema ato,” said Atty. Dominic Din~o, chief of staff of Mayor Michael Rama, in an interview with The FREEMAN.

Its first project was supposed to target 100 units via the Phase 2 B Sugbo Homes, Redemptorist Home in Nivel Hills, Barangay Lahug back in 2015.

Unfortunately, Din~o said, the property they dedicated the project had an adverse claim.

“Ang property nga gidedicate ato naay adverse claim, so caught mi off-guard that time. It was in 2015 and election in 2016. Nangausab tanan. Karon na na-revive kay karon pa man pud ko nabalik pag December 2021,” said Din~o.

Din~o said members of the said coop prodded him to revive it now paving the way for a general meeting last Saturday.

The said housing coop used to have 700 members but currently is left with 178 members in good standing. Din~o said they already have an initial discussion with a developer regarding their plans.

“We have an initial discussion with a developer that is interested in building an MRB for the employees,” said Din~o.

One of the developers, the Cebu Land Masters, presented to the group its MRB project in Barangay Lorega which may also be the same for the employees.

After its general meeting together with the Cooperative Development Authority, more employees have reached out to Din~o expressing their interest to join.

“Other employees now had expressed interest after our meeting yesterday. So nag expect mig mo-grow na pud ang members kay naa na may developer na involved...sauna wala man, kami kami ra gyud to, “ said Din~o.

Rama himself is in full support of the said coop for the employees.

Even casual employees and job orders are also encouraged to join.

“Job Order, casual, and regular, if ganahan sila mo-join they can join the cooperative. Also, those who have already withdrawn (their membership), they can return as members and follow the same (application) process as that of new members,” Din~o said. — KQD (FREEMAN)