Council wants inventory of all city-owned lots

CEBU, Philippines — Following the claim of ownership by one individual of a portion of the city-owned block-27 in the North Reclamation Area, the Cebu City Council wants an inventory of all city-owned parcels of land.

Councilor Joy Pesquera disclosed to the City Council that someone claimed that she was given authority by an employee of the city’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) to use the area.

Pesquera discovered the issue after she instructed her staff to conduct a clean-up operation in the area near the Cebu City Quarantine Center which she manages.

The area has a structure with a sari-sari store as well as some banana trees.

“How many properties of the city government have been occupied by illegal settlers?” questioned Pesquera.

“How many properties have been utilized because of an unauthorized employee, giving authority to another person to construct?” added Pesquera.

Pesquera then requested the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Land Management Office (LMO) to conduct an inventory of all city government-owned parcels of land and submit the same within 60 days from receipt of the resolution which the council approved.

The council also requested the City Legal Office to conduct an investigation on the “illegal acts” of some city government personnel in giving authority to people to occupy city-owned properties. — GMR (FREEMAN)