Batac council probes unpaid lots acquired by city gov’t

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff Reporter

Batac City—City Vice Mayor Ronald Allan M. Nalupta revealed that his office, along with those of other Sangguniang Panlungsod members, received two separate letters from a certain Patricio Tagatac reminding them of the payment of lots that are now being occupied by the city government.

The letters were received prior to the start of a regular session of the council.

Nalupta said the first letter reminded them about the payment of three parcels of land occupied by the city government particularly the Government Center located at Barangay 16 Quiling Sur in this city.

The other letter is also a reminder for the payment of a lot occupied by the city government’s old BJMP building situated at Barangay 35 Billoca.

The letter identified Tagatac as the administrator and the legal heir of spouses Maximo and Felipa Tagatac, owners of the lots mentioned.

In reaction to this, Nalupta said these are obligations of the city government that needs immediate allocation.

He also said he believes the lots mentioned were acquired by the local government unit decades ago and that he was not in government service then yet.

In his “Chairman’s Time” during a session, Nalupta referred the matter to the committees on laws and finance for their immediate action. He later gave them 10 days upon receipt to act on the matter.

Meanwhile Batac          Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta said he was not aware that there are still acquired properties that remain unpaid.

The mayor said he has asked the city assessor and city treasurer to check this and submit a report.

The mayor said he personally know the administrator of the said lots adding:  “Ken saan ngata met a narigat a pagsasaritaan dayta.”

“Justice dictates nga no anyaman dagidiay na-acquire iti city nang-nangruna no nabayag da nga us-usarenen wennu nai-declare nga usaren iti gobiyerno a ket we should give just a compensation as required by law,” the mayor stressed.