Occupants of Cebu province-owned lots covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 who partially paid for their lots oppose the proposed implementation of the Community Mortage Program (CMP) to seal ownership of their lots.
This developed as the Cebu City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Councilor Nida Cabrera requesting Mayor Michael Rama to include in the proposed Supplemental Budget 2 a P50-million appropriation for a goodwill deposit to the provincial government that would facilitate the mortgage program.
“The general welfare of some 4,000 Cebu City families living in lots owned by the Provincial Government of Cebu is at stake as a definite and clear solution to the Provincial Ordinance 93-1 problem remains elusive,” the resolution read.
Speaking on behalf of the San Roque Homeowners Association, Inc., Socrates Rota Pepino, said Vice President Jejomar Binay should call for the scrapping of the CMP, which is tantamount to making a business out of urban poor beneficiaries.
“CMP equals negosyong pambalay dili serbisyo sa kabus (housing business, not service to the poor,” Pepino said.
Pepino of sitio San Roque in barangay Luz is one of the many who paid in part for their 93-1 assigned lot.
Vice President Binay recommended the sale of 93-1 lots to beneficiaries at socialized housing costs through the community mortgage program.
Binay said the Cebu City government has to pay the provincial government P50 million in goodwill deposit to facilitate the lot purchase.
Cabrera’s resolution said that Binay’s proposals obtained support from the 93-1 movement which consists of 43 homeowners in 11 barangays where province-owned lots are located.
However, Pepino said it would be best if the provincial government continues to implement the 1990 appraised rate the lots.
Provincial Ordinance 93-1 allowed sales of Capitol lots to occupants at prices ranging from P300 to P1,500 per square meter.
Pepino also asked the Capitol to maintain the 6-percent interest on the yearly amortization of the lot sales.
Pepino called on Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to sign an ordinance passed in 2004 which extends the period of payment for 93-1 lot amortization by another 10 to 15 years. / Edison A. Delos Angeles, Correspondent