’93-1 Movement’ Backs BOPK Bets

The presidents of 34 homeowners associations in Cebu City who belong to the so-called “93-1 Movement” showed their support to the candidacy of all candidates under the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK).

The 93-1 Movement is a federation of all presidents of different homeowners associations living within the province-owned lots situated in 11 barangays in Cebu City.

The province-owned lots, whose members are coming from the different homeowners association under the 93-1 Movement, are situated in Barangays Lahug, Apas, Kamputhaw, Luz, Busay, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Lorega, Mabolo, Tejero and T. Padilla.

Emily Malto and Michael Guerra, president and vice president, respectively, of the 93-1 Movement, held a press conference at the City Hall yesterday announcing their support to Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña, who is running again as mayor of Cebu City.

Although there were only more than 20 homeowners’ presidents who went to City Hall yesterday, Malto said there were 34 homeowner presidents who have attended their meeting last May 7 and all of them signed a manifesto of support for Osmeña’s mayorality bid.

“Osmeña and Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and other BOPK councilors have consistently supported our quest for security of land tenure. Currently, they have revived the land swap proposal which is the best solution and most advantageous to the urban poor,” Malto added.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said the 34 homeowners association who are supporting the BOPK have about 4,000 families.

“I’m very happy with their support. BOPK has always been pro-poor, thus we are committed to helping them find acceptable, workable and affordable solutions to their lot issue,” said Dizon, who chairs the City Council’s committee on housing.

Osmeña earlier announced that if he and gubernatorial aspirant Hilario Davide III will win the elections on Monday, he will pursue the proposal for a landswap deal between the city and province of Cebu to ensure that the “93-1 residents” will not be evicted from their locations.