Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Capitol appraises 93-1 properties in Cebu City
THE Cebu Provincial Appraisal Committee has started appraising the Province-owned lots scattered in various barangays of Cebu City.
This came after the Provincial Board approved an ordinance mandating the committee to conduct a regular appraisal of the lots every three years.
Some of these lots are under dispute for nonpayment of the homeowners’ dues.
Of the 4,358 homeowners covered by Ordinance 93-1, only 1,440 occupants have reportedly paid their obligation.
Consideration
The committee conducted an ocular inspection and gathered data needed in arriving at a current fair market value and submitted these to the Capitol’s assessor office.
Apart from the data gathered, the committee will also take into consideration the physical characteristics, location, accessibility, slope, size, terrain and economic utility of the lots.
The first appraisal was done last April 4.
The appraisal will be the basis for the release of the deeds of sale for the properties covered by Ordinance 93-1.
Several homeowners threatened to file complaints against Capitol and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for failing to release the deeds of sale for the properties they already paid for.
Several officers of the homeowners’ association went to the office of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and discussed possible legal remedies against the Province.
They agreed to file a complaint either before the anti-graft office or the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, which has the quasi-judicial powers over land issues.
Homeowners
Osmeña supported the homeowners plan to seek legal remedy, saying Garcia will earn the award of having the most number of cases filed against her in the anti-graft office.
But Capitol officials explained that the delay in the release of the deeds of sale for the properties covered by Ordinance 93-1 was due to the evaluation by Capitol’s reviewing committee.
Lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda, Capitol consultant on information and revenue generation, said many homeowners violated the agreement contained in the ordinance, which prompted the Province to take a look on the matter.
Sepulveda said majority of occupants who threatened to file cases did not follow the provision that the properties must be used for residential purposes only.
The aborted land swap agreement between Capitol and City Hall led the Province to directly negotiate with occupants. (GMD)
