Cebu’s South Reclamation Project to boost economic growth of the region
I support the Cebu City government in its claim that the South Reclamation Project’s (SRP) transfer of ownership is valid and required no congressional approval after a local leader disputed in court the legality of the land transfer and its lease.
This is my reaction to queries about the transfer of the national government of an approximately 330 hectares of land to the city government without congressional authority.
Without in any way interfering or influencing the outcome of the case, I am of the firm belief that under the local government code, other existing laws and relevant decision of the Supreme Court, the national government’s transfer of the reclaimed area’s full ownership to Cebu City is legal and as such, made it a patrimonial property of the city. This is my reaction as a lawyer and as a teacher of Land Titles and Decrees at the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Being a patrimonial property of the city, it may dispose of it in any way it deems necessary as provided by Section 22 of the Local Government Code and it can lease or sell portions of the SRP to private individuals as well as qualified corporations.
The Cebu City South Reclamation Project, now the South Road Properties (SRP), funded from a loan given by the Japanese government, aims to reduce poverty incidence and accelerate economic growth in Metro Cebu as export processing zones and light industries are envisioned to sprout on the reclaimed area, bringing in 100,000 jobs for Cebuanos.
The project, a major endeavor of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, would also boost further the tourism industry in the region as condominiums and hotels would also rise on its beachfront.
In our fight against poverty, political differences should be set aside as far more important matters, like this one, should first be addressed.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:18 am
keep up the good work senator! our country needs a good leader like you