Council urges incoming leaders to reclaim open space in OPRRA

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has appealed to the incoming administrations of both Cebu Province and the Cebu City Government to make use of an open space in Barangay Kalunasan currently being rented out by the outgoing administration.

This appeal was prompted by a privilege speech delivered by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera during the latest Cebu City Council session. Her speech focused on the mandate to preserve and utilize open spaces, as provided under existing local ordinances and national laws.

In response, the council approved a resolution authored by Pesquera, requesting Cebu Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro to return the parcel of land in Kalunasan to public use, allowing residents to access it freely.

Additionally, the council passed resolutions directing the Department of Engineering and Public Works to conduct a resurvey of the area designated as open space. The Parks and Playgrounds Department was also asked to draft plans and programs for the development of a park and playground in the Old Philippine Railway Residents Association (OPRRA) compound.

Further, the council urged Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival to prioritize the establishment of parks and playgrounds in all barangays, particularly in densely populated areas.

Acknowledging her term will end on June 30, Pesquera took the opportunity to advocate for stronger implementation of open space provisions in the city.

Quoting the 1996 Revised Zoning Ordinance, she emphasized that open space is defined as  an area reserved exclusively for parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas.

She added that such parks may be used for both active and passive recreation, which can include  landscaped promenade, seating areas, children's play areas, gardens, lawns, trees, hedges, and water elements such as fountains, fall, lagoons, and streams.

Pesquera clarified that parking may be allowed in parks, but only if it is underground.

She also mentioned that the City Council is in the process of amending the current Zoning Ordinance, which could bring changes to the city's land-use plan.

Citing Presidential Decree 1216, specifically Sections 2 and 31 as amended, Pesquera highlighted that subdivision owners and developers are legally required to allocate sufficient space for roads, alleys, sidewalks, and open spaces. She specified that subdivisions must reserve 30% of their total area for open space.

Pesquera went on to explain that OPRRA was established on June 7, 1971, through a sales agreement involving eleven parcels of land. The sale, covering a total area of 160,196 square meters, was formalized via a resolution passed by the Provincial Board.

Based on this, Pesquera said that at least 14,417 square meters of the property should be dedicated to parks, while 48,058 square meters should be preserved as open space.

She also shared details from a conversation with Kalunasan Barangay Captain Litoy Ceniza, revealing that when Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia took office, the property was fully fenced off.

"Gipakoral niya whether or not naa bay fencing permit, that's also the barangay has to look into as well as our OBO (Office of the Building Official)," said Pesquera.

She added that since the barangay needed the space for vehicle parking, they were charged a rental fee of P15,000 per month. While she acknowledged this move was meant to regulate usage, she stressed that the law still mandates a specific allocation for parks and recreational areas.

"So now, people no longer have a space for their monthly activities, barangay activities and children no longer have places to play," Pesquera lamented.