Cheaper rate for 93-1 lots sought
THE occupants of the 93-1 lots want the Cebu City Government to provide them an affordable socialized housing program if the ownership of the Province-owned lots will be transferred.
They made the request when the City Council’s ad hoc committee on 93-1 held a consultation meeting in the 11 barangays where the Province-owned lots are located.
“All of them are in favor that the ownership of the lots will be transferred to the City Government. But we explained to them that we need to review the MOA (memorandum of agreement) first because we need to make sure that their welfare will be protected,” said Councilor Daluz III.
The MOA, which was signed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Gov. Hilario Davide III last week, was referred to the ad hoc committee for review.
During their two-day consultation, Daluz said the committee explained to the 93-1 settlers all the provisions under the MOA.
The residents then asked that an affordable rate be offered to them so they can finally own the lots they are currently occupying.
Of the 4,364 home lots covered under Provincial Ordinance 93-1, only 1,445 have been paid in full and 1,188 have been partially paid.
A total of 1,731 lots were not paid at all.
The beneficiaries of the lots were given two years to pay off the property when the ordinance was approved in 1993.
A 10-year extension was granted to them but the period lapsed in 2004 and many of them still failed to settle in full their obligations to the Province.
Since then, the Provincial Government stopped accepting payments from the occupants, who became uncertain if they would get to own the property.
As promised, Daluz said the ad hoc committee will come up with its report and recommendation about the MOA and submit it to the City Council during their regular session on Tuesday.
If the legislative body ap- proves the MOA, the Capitol will turn over 34-2 hectares of occupied 93-1 lots while the City, in exchange, will give several prime properties with an aggregate area of 16.4 hectares.
The finalization of the agreement was a campaign promise by Osmeña and Davide to solve the plight of the 93-1 residents.