Council wants updates on 93-1 lot deal

THE Cebu City Council will ask for updates from Mayor Michael Rama and local housing officials on the ongoing negotiations and the new payment scheme for province-owned lots covered by Ordinance 93-1.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said he will file the resolution in the council in their next session.

He said the resolution was a reminder to Rama who promised to update the council about developments in the lot deal.

Last Thursday Vice President Jejomar Binay, the country’s housing czar, and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia signed an agreement seeking a solution to the 93-1 lot controversy. It was witnessed by Rama and councilors Edgar Labella and Jose Daluz III.

Dizon said he’s not offended about not being invited to witness the agreement signing since the invitation was prepared by the Capitol.

Dizon is the council’s housing committee chairman.

“The occupants know who supports them from the start. The important thing is to resolve their plight especially since Governor Garcia is interested to run for senator,” Dizon said.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said they would use the 93-1 lot dispute as an election issue against Garcia if she fail to complete negotiations with lot occupants before her term as governor ends.

“We will campaign among the different urban poor groups nationwide.  But that is also to her advantage and that is also good for Cebu if she solves it,” said Young.

Dizon said they will also ask Collin Rosell, chief of the Department for the Welfare of the Urban (DWUP), for updates on the 93-1 negotiations.

Dizon said he also wanted to ask for an executive session with the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) to ask about the lot cost and payment scheme.

Dizon sad several 93-1 lot beneficiaries were concerned that they may be unable to afford the new lot prices.

He said property in Busay is sold at a starting price of P3,300 per square meter to 93-1 beneficiaries.

“After all this is a socialized housing program.  The urban poor are willing to pay so long as the prices aren’t steep,” Dizon said.