CEBU CITY — A government hospital and other agencies occupying a lot claimed by the Cebu provincial government will not be evicted even though the Capitol issued a “demand to vacate” order against these offices in Barangay Jagobiao in Mandaue City.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the provincial government was merely pressing their claim that they are the real owners of the 25-hectare property. The present occupants, she said, should just recognize that the Capitol is the real owner of the lot.
She explained that the provincial government was forced to issue the demand letter on September 8 since their previous communications with these offices were ignored since June.
“Wala mi papahawaon kung muangkon lang sa lehitimo nga katungod sa probinsya sa Sugbo nianang maong yutaa. (No one will be evicted if they only admit that the province of Cebu is the legitimate owner of the land),” Garcia said.
Those occupying the lot include the Department of Health-operated Eversley Child Sanitarium and General Hospital and its component offices, the Food and Drugs Administration, the Jagobiao barangay hall, and other structures.
“Pangitaan pa ug paagi nga mahimong lehitimo ang inyong pag okupar ana diha nga yuta (We will even find ways to make your occupation on our lot legitimate ,” she added.
Garcia said the Capitol could enter into a “usufruct” agreement with these occupants.
The Capitol said they owned the property after it was donated to them by the Cebu Archdiocese in 1928.
The occupants believe that the national government owns the 25-hectare lot.
Capitol, however, said only the provincial government could show proof of ownership.
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