Osmeña Offers PHP33M Compensation to INC Church Affected by Road Widening

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has said he will offer a P33-million compensation to an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) church in Cebu City that will be affected by a national road expansion project.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 wanted to demolish the wall of the INC compound on Gen. Maxilom Ave. on September 14last year, but INC officials opposed it.

Aside from the demolition of the INC church wall, the widening on both side of F. Sotto Drive, Cebu City, will also affect the district office of Buklod, INC’s organization for married couples; the district minister’s quarters; and the INC powerhouse.

Osmena said the DPWH has already deposited the compensation with the court, one of the requisites for the writ of possession issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in favor of DPWH.

Osmeña said the compensation from the city government is on top of the DPWH compensation.

“The INC really felt burdened with this problem because their wall has to be demolished to widen F. Sotto. We have to convince them to sacrifice their fence. The other side is also sacrificing. Both are equal. This is to show our sincerity,” he said.

He said the road widening project would convert F. Sotto Drive into a two-way road.

Upon completion, motorists from F. Sotto, D. Jakosalem and downtown area can head straight to Ayala Business Park without passing through the congested area near the Colegio de la Immaculada Concepcion. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS