Luigi cleared to buy lots
The Mandaue City Council has authorized Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing to negotiate, offer to buy, and sign the deed of sale of the property to be identified as suitable site for relocation site of the fire victims in barangays Guizo and Mantuyong.
Councilor and chairwoman of the committee on laws and ordinances Nenita CenizaLayese said there is a need to authorize the mayor to negotiate the purchase of the property but subject to Commission on Audit and other relevant rules.
"Aware of the predicament of the fire victims, the Local Chief Executive together with the Department Heads made initial site visits and ocular inspection over properties which have been recommended as possible area for relocation," Layese said.
A total of 657 families lost their homes during a fire that hit barangays Mantuyong and Guizo last year. They are currently staying at the Cebu International Convention Center.
Quisumbing already inspected two sites in Barangay Agus and Barangay Pajac, LapuLapu City, with another lot located in Consolacion for possible relocation site.
Based on the validation of the Housing Urban and Development Office, Quisumbing said the 657 families occupied a 9.2-hectare in the two barangays.
However, following the 28-square meter requirement, only 359 families may be allowed to return to their original lots in Mantuyong and Guizo.
"The City has firmly committed to provide all the validated fire victims a place where they can relocate. Thus, the city will have to purchase a property to accommodate those who may not be able to return to Guizo and Mantuyong," Quisumbing said.
The city government has earmarked P72 million to build temporary shelters for the fire victims. They later decide to procure some lots and develop it as a relocation site since it is cheaper.
Quisumbing and the Federation of Mandaue Community Urban Poor will be signing a compromise deal with the fire victims that the reblocked lots will be raffled off among the victims.
Quisumbing already asked for authority from the council to be allowed to enter into a compromise agreement with the organization through its president, Norma Garbo.
Under the compromise agreement, the beneficiaries will agree to the system of drawing of lots to determine who among the families can return to the site. As for the remaining 298 families, Quisumbing said the city is now scouting to purchase additional property.
Once the City Council approves, the beneficiaries will execute an affidavit of undertaking stating that they are barred from selling, assigning, or transferring the lot given to them by the city to any person by way of legal succession.