City to build sports facility on 20 hectares of SRP property

A total of 20 hectares in the South Road Properties (SRP), which used to be the property three giant developers bought, will be converted by the Cebu City Government into a sports hub.

In a news conference last Thursday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said construction of the sports hub will start this year.

Osmeña said the City will use the lots that were initially bought by the consortium of Ayala Land Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) and Filinvest Land Inc., saying there was no legitimate sale of the lots.

“There was no sale, because it’s illegal; that’s our stand. They don’t have the title and we’re not giving it to them. It’s illegal, criminal, and fraudulent,” Osmeña told reporters.

He said he will not give the land title as that would make him liable for fraud.

The City awarded the lot to the consortium last July 21, 2015.

The deal was closed for P16.76 billion.

Of the 45.2 hectares opened for bidding, 26 has. were bought by the consortium of Ayala and SM, while 19.2 has. were bought by Filinvest.

However, Filinvest has rescinded the contract of sale.

As planned, Osmeña said the sports hub will have football fields, tennis courts, motocross paths, a jogging trail and diving pool.

The facility is set to promote sports among residents in the city, particularly the youth.

Osmeña said the sports facility is what City needs right now.

Osmeña said the program of works and estimates of the project is ongoing and once it will be completed, construction will start.

He said the construction is set to be completed within the year as no major civil works is needed for the development./

There was no sale, because it’s illegal; that’s our stand. They don’t have the title and we’re not giving it to them. TOMAS OSMEÑA Cebu City Mayor