THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has turned down the request of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) that it be allowed to title the land that its office buildings are occupying at Tondaligan Park under its name.

Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez said although the letter from the BSP was endorsed by the mayor’s office, the council cannot endorse the titling of the area because it is part of Tondaligan Park, which is covered under the law that parks and plazas are public property and beyond the commerce of man.

He also said the titling would serve as a bad precedent if the council endorses the request.

The BSP is not the only entity that occupies a large area of the Tondaligan Park. Other occupants inside the park are The Bulwagang Katarugan (Hall of Justice) as well as the PAGASA and the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Fernandez expressed fears that these government agencies will likely make similar requests if the BSP’s request is granted.

At the same time, Councilor Vlad Mata has proposed a resolution seeking to segregate a portion of the 31-hectare accreted land in Bonuan Binloc as site for a housing project of handicapped persons and their families.

The proposed resolution was made notwithstanding the hundreds of claimants to portions of land in the accreted area who were able to secure Tax Declaration Certificates from the city government.

Fernandez has already warned of the dire implications of the unsettled controversy over these outstanding claims.

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