Davide given greenlight to swap 93-1 properties with Cebu City lots

The Cebu Provincial Board has approved the resolution authorizing Gov. Hilario Davide III to sign the Deed of Donation of the provincial lots under 93-1 ordinance after over a month of deferment.

Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega explained to the PB last Monday that there is no need for the legislative body to ratify the deed of donation once signed by the governor because the document is already attached to the resolution which seeks the PB's authorization.

The resolution was first proposed in an out-of-town PB session last June 25. It was first deferred citing the need to have a thorough discussion.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is happy with the development, saying the next step would be setting a meeting with City Hall officials to make other needed arrangements and sign the deed of donation.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña considers the approval of the resolution as his major achievement being the chief executive.

He said the 5,000 beneficiaries can heave a sigh of relief considering that the 93-1 long standing issue will be resolved soon.

The beneficiaries are from 11 barangays namely Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, San Miguel, Kasambagan, and Tejero.

“You know, that’s even a bigger gift than getting the ABC because 5,000 families have been living in uncertainty for years after years,” Osmeña said.

To recall, on July 10, the Cebu City Council has approved the resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the deed of donation and acceptance with the Province of Cebu to legally transfer the involved properties.

Properties of the city subject for land swapping includes the 2.5 hectare in South Road Properties (SRP); 13,711-square-meter lot of the Sewerage Treatment Plant; 2,475-square- meter slaughterhouse at the North Reclamation Area; ninehectare property in Pulpogan, Consolacion; the 3.3-hectare Block 27, Block 27-A and Block 27-B including the road between the lots at the North Reclamation Area.

For the province, the 32.4 hectares of lot covered by Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1 that will be transferred to the city.

“You know, I really feel so happy for them. I know how it’s like this urban poor sa gawas murag isog sila but inside they are terrified. They are terrified that one day, they will receive a letter, so they have to move out,” Osmeña said. —

Odessa O. Leyson and Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad/MBG