THOUGH they’re willing to pay, occupants of the Capitol-owned 93-1 lots are still cautious about the payment terms.
“We want to know how much is the price if it’s affordable,” said Boy Guera, spokesman of the 93-1 movement.
The group issued the statement in response to Vice President Jejomar Binay’s proposal to buy the lots through the Community Mortgage Program.
In a letter to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Binay mentioned the city government’s promise to appropriate a P50 million downpayment for the purchase of the Capitol-owned 93-1 lots through the program.
Binay, who chairs the Housing and Urban Development Council (HUDCC), signified their commitment to join City Hall in negotiations with the Capitol for the transfer and sale of the lots covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 to the city beneficiaries.
But Guera said they are worried that the actual value of the lots would still be expensive since the CMP scheme allows computation of payment to be made in the next 25 to 30 years.
Councilor Alvin Dizon, the council’s housing committee chairperson, said Binay’s proposal was something that should be looked into by the city.
“But the concerns of the 93-1 residents should be considered. After all, they are the program beneficiaries,” he said.
Dizon said the P50 million down payment is not found in the city’s annual budget.
“But the city council can discuss where it will be sourced. The council is very cooperative in finding acceptable solutions to the 93-1 concerns,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Guera said the 93-1 movement officials called for a meeting with its homeowners association members next week to discuss Binay’s proposal.
He said they should be consulted before any negotiations on the lot purchase be made.
“We weren’t called for consultation,” Guera said.
He said they were worried over reports that the Capitol plans to re-compute the 93-1 lot costs based on half of its 2006 zonal valuation.
For example, a roadside property in barangay Luz which has a zonal valuation of P12,000 per sq. meter will be sold at P6, 000 per sq. meters to the beneficiaries.
If possible, Guerra said they want the prices based on the 93-1 ordinance.
Under the ordinance, roadside properties in barangay Luz cost P1,200 per sq. meters while interior lots cost P560 per sq. meters.
If a price increase is implemented, Guera said it should be half of the original cost for those who already started payments.
About 75 percent of the actual value should be imposed on beneficiaries who have yet to start amortization for their assigned lots, they said.
“But Binay said in our dialogue that it’s not possible, that we should compromise with the Capitol,” Guerra said.
He said there won’t be a compromise until there’s a formal offer from the Capitol.
At City Hall, the Department of the Welfare of Urban Poor will study plans to provide housing to city government employees.
DWUP chief Collin Rosell said they are in talks with the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund for a group housing loan program for city hall department heads and employees, including casual and job order workers. “We are now conducting a review of our employees salary grade to determine their capacity to pay,” said Rosell.
Pag-ibig is offering a six percent interest rate for loans of P400,000 and below and a seven percent interest for loans ranging from P400,000 to P750,000. /Doris C. Bongcac Chief of Reporters with Correspondent Edison A. delos Angeles