Until March 2017: Mayor asked to allow scholars city condo use

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has asked Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the administrator of the city condominium to allow all city scholars to occupy the building until the end of the school year.

In an approved resolution, Councilor Jose Daluz III said at least 10 scholars from Barangay Buot went to his office and expressed concerns that they may no longer be allowed to stay at the condominium.

"Reportedly, the newly appointed staff taking charge of the condominium has set some rules, one of which is to get the endorsement from a certain official in the barangay," the resolution reads.

Daluz said the scholars presented the endorsement from Buot Barangay Captain Rosalina Callino which was allegedly not accepted by new condominium administrator Nanette Garong.

Daluz said Callino sent letter to Osmeña requesting for approval of the continuance of the stay of the scholars at the condominium. Daluz attached the copy of the September 26 letter.

"Unfortunately again, for the students, the letter has not been acted upon because the mayor left the country," read the resolution.

The mayor arrived in the city only last Wednesday afternoon from Hong Kong. He was not available for an interview yesterday.

In the letter, Callino requested from the mayor his endorsement for the 10 scholars' continuing stay at the city condominium. The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the scholars.

"These students are now and have been occupying the Cebu City Condominium since they were in their first year in college. They have all been religiously paying their monthly rental and have never been in violation of any of the rules and regulations of the Condominium," read Callino's letter.

But, Callino said, the new condominium management staff are asking the students to present an endorsement from Buot Barangay Councilor Rogelio Cabrillos.

"Recently, however, they were instructed by the staff of Nanette Garong named Jaja to vacate if they cannot get a recommendation from Councilor Rogelio Cabrillos. Complying to this requirement, the students approached the good councilor but they were refused saying he does not have any knowledge about it and that he cannot give the endorsement because he is not the barangay captain," Callino said.

She said the students told him that there was a notice posted at the condominium directing all occupants to produce the endorsement on or before October 1, which is today, or they would be refused entry or access to the building.

"We are wary that you may not be aware of this new ruling, considering that the ordinance does not require any endorsement and that occupants can only be denied occupancy on account of abuse of the privilege associated with the obligations or rights of the occupants," she said.

Garong, for his part, said she has not received any complaint from the students regarding the matter. She denied posting such a notice.

"Bisan og moadto pa 'mos condominium, walay notice nga kutob ra sila sa October 1. Actually, naay pag August siguro to nga among gipa-out sa condominium kay katong recommendation sa OBO (Office of the Building Official) nga kuhaon ang at least 30 ka rooms near sa fire exit," she said.

Garong said there are even students occupying the same rooms again. The condominium, she said, is currently housing over 400 students.

"Basig naalarma lang sila kay akong giingnan nga istrikto nami. Bisan og dili scholars sa siyudad, basta estudyante ka gikan sa mountain barangays, pwede ka mopuyo," she said.

Garong said they are just following the policy of the previous administration in requiring endorsement from the barangay.

But, she said, they are asking for the endorsement of the barangay leader who knows the students.

"Kaniadto man gud, before sa akong time, mangayo sila og barangay clearance. Gani, before, naay nangreklamo nga wala gipasulod kay walay green card," she said.

She said she would just wait for her copy of the council resolution or any complaint against the management of the condominium.

"Wala mi kadawat og reklamo. Maghuwat lang ko sa kanang kopya sa suwat sa barangay kapitan kay wala ko kahibawo ana. I think, malisyoso pod ang sa council kay gipangutana lang usa pod ko dili kay deretso og himo'g kadaot," she said.

When asked if the situation is being politicized, she said she was not the guilty party. She said she has constantly been meeting with the parents of the students occupying the building to update them on the whereabouts of their children. (FREEMAN)