Land swaps eyed for 93-1 issue

A series of land swaps are expected to resolve the long standing 93-1 issue involving the province and Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said yesterday.

“I’m letting Bimbo finish his work. Just technical description but basically it’s going to be a land swap. It’s going to be a series of land swap,” the mayor said.

Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez is the executive assistant to the mayor.

Osmeña said the city government is willing to offer the city’s property including the area of Sewerage Treatment Plant and slaughterhouse in North Reclamation Area; a two-hectare property at the South Road Properties; an area in Pulpogan, Consolacion; and the Cebu City Zoo.

Provincial Ordinance 93-1 was approved in the Provincial Board in 1993. It covers 51 hectares of land owned by the province but are occupied by residents of Cebu City.

It is subdivided to at least 4,364 home lots in 11 different barangays, including Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, Kasambagan, and Tejero.

The ordinance is aimed at providing a scheme that would allow Cebu City residents to pay a monthly fee until they can pay the price of the property fully and own the land.

As reported earlier, only 1,445 of the 4,364 home lots have been fully paid for; 1,188 have not been fully paid for while 1,731 have not been paid for at all.

Osmeña and Governor Hilario Davide both promised during the campaign in the May polls that they will resolve the issue within 60 days of office.

While the 60-day grace period was not met, Osmeña said, “It is just filling in the blanks. We are finishing that.”

He said he will not allow the city government to shell out funds for the matter.

The mayor said he will ask the province to swap a 2000-square-meter property in Barangay Capitol Site where the city intends to build a barangay hall.

Osmeña’s plans, however, will have to go through the Team Rama-dominated City Council just as Davide’ decisions would need to get the nod of the Provincial Board.

To this, Osmeña said, “Let them say no. I’ll create a rebellion. Let them say no. I’m ready to mobilize 93-1 (beneficiaries) against Team Rama.”

Sought for comment, Councilor Jose Daluz III said, “We already created an adhoc committee sa council because resolving 93-1 is one of our agenda gyod. We will not preempt the proposal of the mayor. Wait lang mi sa iyang proposal and of course, we will study it. First priority namo ang pagresolba anang 93-1,” he said.

“Ang amoa lang, dili siya mo-threaten anang rebellion. Role sa Council is to review the proposal and make sure nga advantageous pod siya sa city government, not only sa atong beneficiaries. Dili lang pod unta siya manghadlok,” he said.