VP Robredo to Focus on Problem of 5,000 Cebu City Families Living on Land Owned by Province

Vice President Leni Robredo said Tuesday she will focus on solving the problem of some 5,000 families in Cebu City who are living in Cebu Capitol-owned lots.

Robredo, who also chairs the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), said the problem needs to be solved once and for all because it pertains to housing of families in urban areas.

Occupants of the lots which are covered by Cebu Provincial Ordinance 93-1 were allowed to buy and own the lots they are occupying.

But only a few have completed their payment of the lots, mostly situated in urban villages.

Both Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced that they have agreed to solve the problem by swapping the province-owned lots occupied by city residents with Cebu City government-owned prime lots.

A previous plan under former mayor Michael Rama to buy the Cebu Capitol lots for the city residents never materialized.

Osmeña, who was elected mayor in the May 9 elections, earlier said he will solve the problem in the first six months of his term.

“I promise you, my constituents, never to let you down,” he said.

Robredo was in Cebu City Tuesday to attend several activities, including the presentation of land titles to 12 beneficiaries who have completed payment for their lots under the Community Mortgage Program. (PNA) CVL/EB/EDS