Prov’l gov’t assures to resolve 93-1 issue
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale vowed to support and pass the legislation that will put an end to the long overdue 93-1 land swap deal.
The assurance was made when they delivered their message during the birthday celebration of Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his wife, City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last Friday night.
Tomas is 70 while Margarita is 69.
“I would like to mention here that the land swap deal nato, karong Lunes puhon, i-take up na sa Provincial Board,” Davide said in his speech.
Davide committed that Cebu Province will assist the Cebu City government in resolving the Cebu Provincial Ordinance 93-1 issue which involves 5,000 city residents who are occupying provincial properties.
Two weeks ago, the Cebu City Council already approved the resolution authorizing Osmeña to sign the deed of donation and acceptance with the Province of Cebu to legally transfer the involved properties.
Davide said Cebu Province will do its part since the City Council has already passed the resolution.
In a separate speech, Magpale said the Cebu Provincial Board will discuss on Monday the proposed resolution to authorize the governor to sign the deed of donation of the provincial government properties under Ordinance 93-1.
Magpale is the presiding officer of the Cebu Provincial Board.
“We have to approve the resolution. It’s a done deal,” she said.
Board Member Celestino Martinez III, who is the author of the resolution, was also part of the audience in the joint birthday celebration of the Osmeña couple last Friday.
Sought for comment, Mayor Osmeña said the assurance of Davide and Magpale is needed to ensure that 5,000 beneficiaries who have been waiting for too long will get the properties.
“The 5,000 families… they’ve been waiting for so long. Mike Rama blocked it. Gwen Garcia blocked it. We will not allow them to block it anymore. We have to finish this now,” the mayor told reporters.
It was in December 2016 when Mayor Osmeña and Davide signed the memorandum of agreement for the land swap deal as a solution to the long-standing 93-1 lot dispute.
The City Council’s committee on laws, ordinance, and styling is scrutinizing the proposed ordinance of City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. transferring the ownership of 2.5-hectare of land in South Road Properties to the provincial government as part of the land swap deal.
The birthday celebration of Osmeña couple was attended by Salvado Panelo, President Rodrigo Duterte’s Chief Legal Counsel, Senator Cynthia Villar, former senator Serge Osmeña, basketball star Dondon Hontiveros, barangay officials, and hundreds of supporters.