20 93-1 homeowner groups agree with Capitol

ABOUT eight homeowner’s associations from barangay Lahug in Cebu City,  expressed interest to buy the Capitol-owned lots they occupy that are covered under Provincial Ordinance 93-1.

The presidents and officers of the eight homeowners associations, accompanied by Lahug barangay captain Jovito Taborada, Jr., barangay kagawad Mary Ann de los Santos, and other barangay officials met with Garcia at the Capitol last September 5.

During the meeting, the governor reassured them that she is standing by her promise that none of the 93-1 residents will be evicted.

The prices for the corresponding lots were presented to the associations during the meeting.

Garcia, however, asked for their understanding, saying she needs to protect the province’s interest on the lots.

To arrive at a fair selling price, the average was taken from the 2008 appraisal value given by the Cebu Provincial Appraisal Committee, the zonal valuation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Cebu City’s schedule of value.

Garcia explained that this was the same formula used in the computation of the agreed prices of the lots occupied by the other 14 homeowner’s associations.

The provincial government will course the transaction through the Pag-ibig Fund, which will pay the Capitol in lumped sum.

Pag-ibig will then collect from the homeowners. Homeowners will then pay Pag-ibig over a long term period.

Pag-ibig’s long-term loans has a maximum of 25 years amortization schedule.

For those who are not yet Pag-ibig members, a minimum membership fee equivalent to two years’ contribution is required for them to qualify for a housing loan, Garcia added.

Jerry Marquez, president of Lot 1073 Residents’ Association said they are grateful about the governor’s pledge.

“We are happy the governor called us. We are also happy with the agreed price of the lot which is fair,” he said.

Marquez added that their challenge would focus on how to convince the members of their homeowners association to support the initiative.

Garcia gave them three weeks to communicate with their members and scheduled another meeting on September 27.

The eight groups represented during the meeting were Eastern Camagong Homeowners Association, Sitio Camagong Homeowners Association, Lahug Agri-Riverside Community Homeowners Association, Lahug Bayanihan Homeowners Association, Maracas Residents’ Association, Lot 1073 Residents’ Association, Lower Nivel Veterans Village Homeowners Association, and Lot 1304 Homeowners Association.

Last Sept. 8, 14 homeowner’s associations, who are also beneficiaries, signed an agreement with the Capitol for the sale of the lots they have been occupying. It was witnessed by Vice President Jejomar Binay. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent