Archival to reopen 93-1 dispute, revisit land swap

As Cebu City prepares for the change in leadership, Mayor-elect Nestor Archival has announced plans to reopen the long-standing ownership dispute over the 93-1 lots, insisting the city rightfully owns the properties and that the 2016 land-swap agreement should be upheld.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo Staff Member

Although the outgoing administrations of Cebu Province and Cebu City have claimed that issues surrounding the 93-1 lots have been resolved and loan negotiations are in progress, Archival maintains that the lots already belong to the city.

"Because we already have that agreement already with the city and the Provincial already nga naa natay exchange," said Archival in the Openline news forum yesterday.

Archival said he recently met with Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro in an "introductory meeting" and among the key joint issues they discussed were the 93-1 lots and the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project.

He added that Baricuatro committed to honor the land-swap agreement. Archival said the next step would be to meet with the homeowners' association to restart negotiations. He said the cost of the lots would be set under socialized housing prices, in line with the Urban Housing Act.

Archival noted that the previous provincial administration had claimed Cebu City lacked the authority to lower the price of the lots due to zoning classifications. He argued that the lots would be significantly more affordable if priced under urban housing guidelines.