Oro uptown homeowners rally vs P6.5-b mega-project

THE Federation of Uptown Village and Homeowners Association Inc. (FUVHOA), in Cagayan de Oro, comprising 16 village subdivisions banded together to show its support to one of its members, the Morning Mist Village against Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation’s (PODC) proposed P6.5 billion mega-project Masterson Mile Towers or aptly referred to by the latter as the ‘Tower of Darkness.’

Morning Mist Village Homeowners Association, led by its president Arthur Aranas, strongly expressed its objection and opposition towards the proposed project of five 26-storey tower buildings along its perimeter.

During the protest held on Saturday morning Aranas along with FUVHOA, represented by its Chairman Astrid Jose Bana, Concerned Parents, Teachers, Alumni and Communities of XU (Coptca), Lilli Marlene de La Serna, and homeowners from various uptown subdivisions with one voice called for the immediate cease and desist of PODC’s Masterson Mile Towers.

According to the group led by Aranas, the said PODC project is seen to have a negative impact on residents residing in the area, by aggravating the traffic conditions, environmental concerns, water supply, parking spaces, and peace and order among others. Additionally, they have consulted with construction professionals, and if pushed through, it would take the five towers 20 years to complete.

“Construction of such structures along the perimeter of MMV will deprive the residents of access to fresh air and sunlight by blocking the sun for the most part of the day,” the group’s statement reads in part.

“Such high-rise will require a strong foundation, the digging of which may affect the foundation of MMV houses which is merely a few meters away from the site location,” the statement continues.

MMVHOA claims that PODC went behind their backs by starting their project through various permitting activities without the group’s knowledge.

“PODC started processing the documents and permitting requirements for its Masterson Mile Towers project without the knowledge, consent, and prior consultation to the uptown residents, especially those who will be directly affected by their project, the residents of MMV,” Aranas said.

Aranas also questioned the speed of which City Ordinance No. 14256-2022 rezoning the land use of Pueblo de Oro Business Park and Masterson Mile North located along Masterson Avenue in Barangay Carmen, this city from a Medium Density Commercial Zone (C-2) to a High-Density Commercial Zone (C-3).

This enabled PODC to begin its permitting process.

However, Bana, chairman of FUVHOA, said the change in zoning of the mentioned areas was invalid and did not go through the proper process and should be repealed by the current City Council or they will be forced to elevate their grievances to the Ombudsman.

“Ang pag usab sa zoning classification kailangan kana mo agi sa Local Zoning Review committee ― nga wala mo-agi,” he said.

Bana also disclosed that before the ordinance could be finalized, it should go through an approval process with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DSHUD).

“Naka kuha ang Morning Mist ug sulat gikan sa DHSUD nga wala kini mo agi sa ilaha. So, ang pag change sa zoning invalid, mao kana lihukon, i-repeal, kong dili, sa Ombudsman na kita paingon,” Bana said.

“On April 4, it took the City Council only 53 seconds to change the zoning of the area beside MMV. A coincidence?” Aranas said.

“Nakaya nila ipasa ang ordinansa without consulting the immediate affected area and community which is MMV,” he added.

Aranas during the protest compared PODC’s tactics used by the German military in World War II as the ‘Blitzkrieg’ as it only took 53 seconds for the ordinance to be approved by the then city council.

It was learned that only on March 24 this year, uptown residents were made aware of the said project. Wherein the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) invited MMVHOA in Barangay Carmen for public consultation.

During the public consultation, PODC allegedly conducted a survey of 98 Carmen residents who supported the project.

This was shrugged off by the group.

“To date, we have no information that any of those respondents are from Morning Mist Village, the subdivision adjacent to their proposed location, whose residents will be the most affected,” Aranas said.

To finalize their protest, Aranas along with supporters and representatives from various villages in uptown marched towards PODC’s office to deliver the notice of cease and desist letter to be signed by Chrysler Acebo, PODC, Vice President, and General Manager but did not face the former.

Gold Star Daily for its part requested an audience with PODC representatives after the protest to comment on the allegations thrown against the firm but refused to comment.