Davide, Rama to discuss end to 93-1 issue

Gov. Hilario Davide III has yet to get official word from Cebu City Hall on counterproposal to throw in a P1.3-billion lot on top of the P500-million payment for 93-1 lots

LOCAL chief executives in Cebu City and Cebu Province agreed that they will not fight over the 93-1 lots issue.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III agreed to meet Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and finally put to rest a two-decade-old issue.

Davide said that he has yet to receive an official word from the Cebu City Government but he spoke last Wednesday to Rama on the phone.

Last Monday, the Capitol submitted its counterproposal to the City Government's offer to acquire the 51 hectares of Capitolowned land occupied by about 5,000 Cebu City residents for P500 million.

In 1993, the Provincial Board passed Ordinance 93-1 allowing Cebu City residents to acquire the Province-owned lots they are occupying in Barangays Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, Kasambagan, and Tejero. But when the period set by the Capitol expired, only a few residents were able to fully pay the lots.

In a letter to Rama, Davide said the Provincial Government wants a parcel of land worth P1.3 billion and the P500-million payment in exchange for 93-1 lots.

Davide said that he and Rama agreed not to fight over the issue.

Friends

“Amigo man ming Mayor Rama. You know kaning problemaha di ni masulbad kung init og ulo puro, kung mag-away (Mayor Rama and I are friends. This problem will not be solved by hotheadedness),” Davide said during a press conference yesterday.

Although the mayor and the governor have yet to set the date and venue, they know who they will bring to the meeting.

The governor wants to bring Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Provincial Board Members Grecilda Sanchez and Peter Calderon, Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino and Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega.

Rama earlier said former governor Vicente dela Cerna, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor head Collin Rosell will attend the meeting.

“Dapat ang atoa’ng frame of mind is nga masulbad ni (We should focus on solving the issue). It's pointless to be quarreling over this,” Davide said.