THE provincial government will finalize its approval of the land swap deal with Cebu City that will resolve the plight of settlers covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1 tomorrow.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale confirmed this during Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s 70th birthday party at the Waterfront Hotel in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City last Friday evening.
“The Provincial Board (PB) members will be unanimous (on approving the resolution). The city government passed the resolution for Mayor Tommy to sign the deed of the donation so the Province will follow this Monday,” Davide said.
Last July 5, the Cebu City Council approved the resolution authorizing Osmeña to sign the deed of donation and acceptance with the Capitol to dispose of properties covered under 93-1 legally.
But at that time, the PB has yet to approve its version.
The lands under 93-1 can only be disposed of legally once the Capitol and Cebu City Hall sign the deed of donation for this purpose.
Sought for comments, Osmeña said he was happy about the governor’s announcement.
“And yes, this is for the 5,000 families (who will benefit from 93-1). They’ve been waiting for so long. We’ll have to finish it now,” the mayor said.
Based on the land-swap deal signed between the city and province two years ago, Cebu province will turn over all 93-1 properties located in 11 barangays totaling 32 hectares to Cebu City.
The province will also give to the city a 2,358-square-meter lot along Gorordo Ave. in Barangay Lahug; and a 1.5-hectare lot in the Department of Agriculture compound in M. Velez St, and a 577-square-meter property, both in Don Gil Garcia St. in Barangay Capitol Site.
In exchange, the city government will turn over five properties to the province.
These consist of a 2.5-hectare lot at the South Road Properties (SRP); the 3.3-hectare Block 27 lot, septage treatment plant and city slaughterhouse in the North Reclamation Area (NRA) and the nine-hectare Pulpogan property in Consolacion town.