Filinvest wants to build ramp in disputed area

THE management of the proposed P6 billion Cebu Cyberzone project has asked Cebu City Hall to allow them to build a ramp that would connect their building to Geonzon St. inside the Cebu I.T. Park.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III bared this development as he said that Filinvest Land Inc. wants to build the ramp that would go over a concrete wall that separates their property from that owned by Cebu Property Ventures Development Inc. (CPVDC).

The governor said he is banking on Mayor Michael Rama’s help especially with the province’s “obligation” as the partner of Filinvest in the business process outsourcing (BPO) complex project.

“I co-signed a letter here for Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama for a permit to construct a ramp there. And Mayor Rama has assured us that he will assist us because after all this is for Cebu,” he told reporters.

The letter was signed by Davide and Joseph Yap, president of Cyberzone Properties Inc. with copies sent to members of the Cebu City Zoning Board.

In a letter to Rama, Filinvest said it plans to build ramps along Geonzon St. to connect their building’s driveway and parking to the area.

The company also claimed that Geonzon St. remains a “public road and shall remain open for the benefit of the general public.”

However, Filinvest has to secure a permit from the Cebu City Zoning Board.

“Through the title of the the aforementioned road lot is in the name of CPVDC, the successor-in-interest is the Province of Cebu. CPVDC has been exempted from the payment of real property taz since 2006 in viewof the own declaration of CPVSDC that Geonzon St. is a public road,” explained the letter dated July 16.

The City Local Zoning Board is composed of the City Planning and Development Office headed by Engr. Kenneth Enriquez, Council Committee on Urban Development headed by Councilor Noel Wenceslao, Council Committee on Housing chaired by Councilor Alvin Dizon and Gerardo Carillo, private sector representatives’ Joy Onozawa, Nico Espina and City Engineer Jose Marie Poblete.

No resolution

Two days ago, Davide appealed to the Ayala management to tear down the concrete wall that separates the vicinity of the proposed Cebu Cyberzone from I.T Park.

Aside from the Davide said there was a need to speed up the province’s joint venture project with Filinvest, the governor said the Capitol also has the duty to provide its partner access to Geonzon St.

“I tried. In fact, I tried twice already. I wrote Ayala and the last time, their representative had prior commitment but hopefully, there is no need for a meeting,” he said.

“I understand that Mayor Rama has also called on the parties. They’re also partners with the province of Cebu. Maghinatagay na lang unta ba. Di na lang mag gahi-gahi,” he added.

He said CPVDC in their previous meetings told him that they “have a lot of considerations such as their tenants’ deed of restrictions.”

According to the governor, CPVDC should not be “threatened” with the Cebu Cyberzone project and instead remove the wall “in the spirit of fair competition” and for the “good of Cebu.”

“They shouldn’t be threatened by that because what were after is for the development of Cebu, for everyone. That can also generate employment for the province. There is no reason why they have to block access of that road,” he said.

Related Stories: