Cordova Town Gets SC Okay to Expropriate Private Lots for Access to RO-RO Port

The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed the municipal government of Cordova, Cebu to expropriate private lots intended for access roads to the town’s roll on-roll-off (RO-RO) port.

The SC decision upheld the state’s power to eminent domain in acquiring private properties for projects for the general welfare of the public.

The decision, penned by SC Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta and concurred by other justices in the third division, said there is “a necessity for the taking of the subject properties as these would provide access towards the RO-RO port being constructed in the municipality.”

“The construction of the new road will highly benefit the public as it will enable shippers and passengers to gain access to the port from the main public road or highway,” the decision said.

Outgoing Cordova Vice Mayor Adelino Sitoy welcomed the decision, saying it would help the municipality’s RO-RO port, which currently has twice a day trips from Cordova to Getafe town in Bohol.

Sitoy said passengers using the port are using a makeshift road leading to the port from the highway.

Sitoy, a veteran lawyer, said it would be better if the expropriation of the private lots will push through for the construction of a more convenient road access.

The expropriation proceedings will cover more than 10,000 square meters of land from Pathfinder Development Corporation and another more than 5,000 square meters of land from Topanga Development Corp. for the road project. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS