BCS LAND SWAP DEAL

BAYAMBANG—It’s not an equitable swap.

This is the contention of Engr. Rosendo So, president of Samahang Industriya at Agrikultura (SINAG), who said he has documents to show that the two-hectare lot that was used as relocation site for the Bayambang Central School (BCS) in Barangay Bical was sold to William Chua in 2010 for only P150,000, compared to the land value of the old school compound in Zone 3, Poblacion estimated at P620 million.

So, in a press conference last Thursday, said the land values must be checked because this is being overlooked by those who are protesting the return of the school to its original location.

So showed local newsmen photocopy of the deed of absolute sale entered into by a landowner from Bautista town, who sold the 20,581 square meters property at P150,000 only to a businessman named Willy Chua from Dagupan City dated March 19, 2010. He also obtained the tax declaration and certificate of authorization from the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the lots.

The memorandum of agreement signed by Mayor Ricardo Camacho and Chua for the deed of exchange of real properties for the swap deal showed that the latter’s property was valued at P152-million in August 2013.

“There’s a whale of difference from the P150,000 (original price),” So said. “This must be thoroughly checked otherwise those who approved it might face plunder case,” he added.

So, maintained that the current market price per square meter lot in Barangay Bical where the temporary school site is situated is P600 at while the land fronting the CSI Mall where the old school site is located, already costs P20,000 per square meter.

“The old site now costs P620-million while the relocation site is only P12-million worth,” he said.

So is being criticized by protesting interests for “meddling in the affairs of the town.”

But So said, “If someone asks your help, in this case the parents and alumni who oppose the transfer of the centennial school to the new location, would you tell them “I can’t help you because I’m not from that town?”.

He said parents raised a howl of protests and sought his help and that of former Pangasinan Fifth district Rep. Mark Cojuangco and other well-meaning citizens.

“You research so you will know who sold the property to Chua,” he told local reporters.

So said the issue on the transfer, albeit temporarily, of the school, will be the subject of a Congress inquiry as the Parents-Teachers-Community Association led by its president Filipinas Alcantara sought congressmen’s help to uncover the truth and unmask people behind the deal even as they plead for the return to the old school site.

Municipal Councilor Chato Junio, the lone oppositor to the temporary relocation of the BCS, said she would propose to her colleagues in the Sangguniang Bayan to consider the sentiments of the people and the legalities involved in the swap deal.

She pointed out that the council’s resolution approval for the relocation was only on temporary basis so she would try to convince her colleagues on Monday to have it revoked.

She added that majority of the municipal council in a dialogue with the parents, So and Cojuangco a week ago already signified their decision “not to allow giving the old school site to any private person”.

Mayor Ricardo Camacho said in a radio interview that he wants peaceful resolution of the controversy and longs for a “heart-to-heart dialogue” with concerned parents and sectors.

He, however, said he would fight to the very end to keep the pupils in the new site. “We want to ensure the safety of the pupils,” he added. (Tita Roces)

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments