Workers want Citi Center for housing

CEBU City government employees are proposing that the Citi Center property in barangay Kamagayan be used as a housing project site for employees.

“Known to everyone, the Cebu city government has provided housing benefits to NGOs and other urban poor organizations but remiss in providing housing benefits to its employees. The present administration has not embarked on a housing program intended solely for its employees,” the workers’ cooperative said in a proposal presented to the City Council.

Their proposal was referred to the council’s housing committee headed by Councilor Alvin Dizon for study.

The City Hall employees’ housing cooperative was formed in September 2012 with the purpose of providing housing to city government employees. Its leaders, led by chairperson Jed Ronaldo Filoteo of the City Health Department, attended seminars by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF).

They registered with CDA and were issued temporary registration and are working with the HDMF for financing of the project.

action plan

Their action plan prepared by manager Adeodatus Caballes said that they intend to buy the Citi Center lot for the construction of a high-rise building for the City Hall employees. They are still working to complete the engineering plan and design of the project.

They need the city’s help in buying the Citi Center lot and in securing clearances and permits.

Mayor Michael Rama had ordered the eviction of Citi Center occupants because the city had plans of its own for the property, which may include the construction of a City Hall employees housing project.

Commercial occupants were evicted, leaving behind about 300 families in the interior of the property.