THE Cebu City Council wants an in-depth study to be conducted before the executive department builds a high-rise condominium project on the lot currently occupied by the Citicenter Commercial Complex in Barangay Kamagayan.
Pending the study, a six-month moratorium should be imposed on the demolition of the families living inside the complex.
During the council’s regular session yesterday, Kamagayan Barangay Captain Celestino Avila said they want 2,000 out of the 7,281 square meters of the Citicenter to be given to them.
He said they will be using it to construct a condominium project for the urban poor families living inside Citicenter.
He said he is also planning to construct a senior citizens’ building, a lying-in center and a park, among others.
However, Councilor Jose Daluz III said that a thorough study should be made first, particularly on the construction of a condominium project for the urban poor.
“The property where the Citicenter is located is identified as a highly commercialized area. Di unya ka-afford ang mamuyo diha (The occupants might not be able to afford it) because of the high value of the lot and then our venture won’t succeed,” he said.
Councilor Margarita Osmeña pointed out to Daluz that Mayor Michael Rama also plans to build a condominium project in the area for the housing program for City Hall employees.
Daluz then said that the same study should be made before such project will be implemented.
“Because if the project would fail, it would just really be a waste of time and money.
Dili lang nato dali-dalion ug implement (We will not do it in haste),” he said.
As for the six-month moratorium, which is being proposed through an ordinance filed by Councilor Alvin Dizon, Daluz suggested that no period should be given.
The moratorium will be lifted once the study on the viability of the condominium project will be finished, he said.
Daluz pointed out, though, that there is really a need to develop and transform the area from being the city’s main red-light district.
Sought for comment about the matter, Rama said no one can stop him if he pushes through with the demolition of the illegal settlers at Citicenter.
The court has also given the City the go-signal to evict the families after it denied the families’ application for preliminary injunction.
Asked when will the City resume the demolition, Rama said it will be soon. He said there was only a delay because of the Yuletide and the Sinulog celebrations.
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