DENR rules out land grant violation by Jesuit-run school in CDO

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Northern Mindanao (DENR-10) has ruled that Jesuit-run Xavier University holds the legal right to develop its 64-hectare property in Upper Carmen here into a modern campus alongside a mix of residential and commercial spaces.

The ruling, signed by DENR-10 Regional Executive Director Ronald Gadot on June 23, effectively resolves a petition to have the property reverted to the national government on the ground that the university allegedly violated the terms of a 1958 sales patent — through which it acquired the property — by using it beyond educational purposes, especially undertaking commercial development on a portion of the estate.

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READ: DENR seeks clarity on use of CDO university land

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Xavier University has partnered with Cebu-based property developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. to transform the property into a “campus of the future” complete with residential and commercial spaces.

A group of former school teachers, parents and alumni calling themselves as Concerned Parents, Teachers, Alumni & Communities (COPTAC) opposed the commercial development, pointing out that the property must remain solely for educational use.

It had petitioned the DENR to initiate reversion proceedings, a process began at its Northern Mindanao regional office.

“This office finds no cogent grounds to revert or initiate a cancellation of the original title of land awarded to Xavier University,” Gadot said.

The recent ruling clears the way for the project which will involve some P20 billion in investments for property development. /jpv

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