Council wants update on 93-1 mode of payment
The Cebu City Council has asked the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) on the update of the negotiation with the 5,000 beneficiaries of Ordinance 93-1 in terms of mode of payment.
This was after the three resolutions of Councilor Jose Daluz III were junked by the city council which was dominated by Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) councilors.
It was Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. who moved for a corollary motion asking DWUP for an update.
The council has scheduled an executive session with DWUP on September 11.
The members of the city council had discussed for more than an hour the resolutions that Daluz presented to the body.
On August 28, Daluz delivered a privilege speech detailing the 93-1 land swap, raising the concerns of numerous beneficiaries who approached his office asking for help.
Daluz’s first resolution suggested that Mayor Tomas Osmeña should let the beneficiaries pay their outstanding balance condoning the penalty.
"One of my first resolutions is to give an option to the beneficiaries to pay the principal balance without any penalty whatsoever or to pay the lot at the price between P500 to P850 per sq. meter," he said.
Gov. Hilario Davide III and Osmeña has signed the Deed of Donation and Acceptance last August 3, transferring the ownership of the lots covered by Provincial Ordinance No.931 to the city government.
But Councilor Margarita "Margot" Osmeña said they have to let DWUP, which is the negotiating body, make the right option for the beneficiaries.
Gabuya agrees with Margot saying it is best for them to wait for DWUP's move before making another step.
Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos said if they will approve the resolution of Daluz, the beneficiaries might misinterpret it and cause chaos within.
She asked Daluz to sit down with the executive department about his suggestions.
But Daluz emphasized that some beneficiaries are uncertain of their status.
The BOPK councilors are also not in favor of Daluz’s second resolution asking DWUP to negotiate directly with every beneficiary and not with their respective homeowners’ leaders to avoid conflict.
"Ato problema ana if the DWUP will go straight to the individuals, magkagubot na og samot sa association. They have their own officers, board members, basin unya going straight to every beneficiaries it will create chaos," he said.
Daluz also failed to convince BOPK legislators to approve his last resolution suggesting that the Province of Cebu should use the swapped properties for public interest.
"The swapped properties should be zoned as institutional or should be used as socio-economic activity that will have an impact to the city's public interest," his resolution reads.
Councilor Joy Augustus Young said it cannot be done because the province is now the owners of the properties.
"Mahimo tang katawanan ani sa province nga mana mani. Kanang sa SRP commercial land mana. It's too late. We should not tell them what to do maikog ta nila. But your point is good, I can understand that," he said.