DENR-CAR told to submit details of south-bound terminal project

City officials requested the Cordillera office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CAR) to furnish the local legislative body the titles, list of informal settlers and tenants, and all structures occupying areas within the Original Certificate of Title (OCT) No. 1.    

Further, Resolution No. 265, series of 2022, also required the agency to submit a copy of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the city and the DENR relative to the south-bound bus terminal along Gov. Pack road to the council for information and appropriate action.

The city government plans to enter into an agreement with the DENR for the proposed rehabilitation, development, modernization and utilization of a portion of OCT No. 1 for the put up of the south-bound bus terminal project in the said area.

OCT No. 1 in the name of the Insular government consists of an area of 299,083 square meters, more or less occupying a significant portion of the city, particularly within the central business district area.

The city plans to develop the area along Gov. Pack road with an area of more or less 4,586 square meters and the former BIBAK area having a land area of approximately 5,000 square meters.

The DENR, which is the property owner of the said land, manifested its intention to realize the full benefits of the said properties which includes the development of interested parties.

Earlier, the city government expressed its intent to rehabilitate, develop, modernize and utilize the south-bound bus terminal along Gov. Pack Road, adjoining the office of the Commission on Election (Comelec), the Social Security system (SSS) office along Harrison Road which shall serve the public and provide the needs of the city to cater to commercial, parking, transit-oriented development and pedestrian and park spaces.

The said agreement will be a period of 25 years and renewable as long as the parties mutually consented to the same where the parties stipulated a profit sharing agreement through the equal division of shares.

However, the council deems it more proper and appropriate to be further informed and substantiated with the necessary documents, data and information on the area targeted to be developed and the pertinent details of the agreement as this will have to pass through the new Secretary of the DENR who has not yet been named. – Dexter A. See