A social effort the province has to finish

In 1993, the leadership of the government of Cebu Province, under then Gov. Vicente de la Serna, took a laudable step in attempting to solve an enormous social problem. It was our information that the governor, a lawyer, conceptualized what became known as Ordinance No. 93-1. Those of us who have the fortune of knowing his socio-political philosophy understood the direction of the provincial enactment.

That ordinance was intended to benefit the thousands of residents who built their homes on province-owned lots scattered in many barangays in Cebu City. In its concept, the residents, rather than being ejected, were allowed to pay, at acceptable prices, the lots they were occupying within a certain duration. After the installment payments were completed, the occupants would become lawful owners of those parcels on which their houses were erected. The period that the ordinance provided was believed to be reasonable both for the province and the settlers.

Unfortunately, only few families demonstrated conscientiousness in paying what was due from them. As a result, they have their titles now. They are secure in their ownership. There is no more fear hanging over their heads of being ejected by the province. Most of the land-occupants however, did not take advantage of the opportunity. If I may be allowed to use this word, many of them "disregarded" the social character of the program of the provincial government. By refusing to pay the stipulated installments, they ignored the good intentions of the province.

When then Gov. Pablo Garcia, succeeded Gov. de la

‘It appears that as of today, there is a huge number among the occupants of the lots owned by the province, covered by Ordinance No. 93-1, who have failed to heed the provisions of the local law. They are the ones who seem to spur the city government to proceed with the swap plan and they expect to acquire these lots from the city government, not in consideration of some payment, but on a proverbial generous platter.’

Serna, he must have seen the nobility of the intention of his predecessor in the latter's Ordinance 93-1. He knew that the time allowed to the occupants to buy the lots they were occupying lapsed without serious efforts of many of them to shell out the kind of money referred to in the ordinance. So, Gov. Garcia took it upon his administration to extend the period so that the settlers would finally pay for the lots. If my recollection is right, Gov. Garcia approved two ordinances providing such extensions.

Still, the settlers were slow to respond positively. They took their sweet time for reasons only known to them. Daghan gihapon ang wa mokihol!

Few years ago though, the city government intended to take an initiative. It planned to enter into some kind of an agreement with the province whereby it was to swap a part of its landholdings with those occupied assets. The apparent purpose was for the city, under some scheme, to distribute those lots to the occupants.

It appears that as of today, there is a huge number among the occupants of the lots owned by the province, covered by Ordinance No. 93-1, who have failed to heed the provisions of the local law. They are the ones who seem to spur the city government to proceed with the swap plan and they expect to acquire these lots from the city government, not in consideration of some payment, but on a proverbial generous platter. I think that the provincial government has started to address this social concern with a deep understanding of the problem. Ordinance No. 93-1 was the correct move. It was the best legal way for the settlers to acquire the lots they were occupying. If the ordinance did not achieve its objective, it was because the occupants, who constituted the other half of the parties, did not do their part.

The province is thoroughly aware of the problem. It has, since 1993. Because of that understanding, its moves to provide land for the landless were perfect. This is presently shown by the fact that some of the occupants are now the registered owners. Cebu Province, this time under the leadership of His Honor, Gov. Hilario Davide III, should proceed with what it started. The province and Gov. Davide III should not allow any distraction in pursuing this cause. All they need to do is fix a reasonable price, provide again for viable period and make sure that the terms are faithfully complied with. They should not yield even to the temptation of the city to take over the scene. After all, this honor is for the governor's taking. Email: aa.piramide@gmail.com