By CESAR JOLITO III

Central Philippines State University (CPSU) President Dr. Aladino Moraca expressed optimism that the ongoing land dispute involving the university’s Moises Padilla campus can be resolved through dialogue.

“I believe that if we talk properly, this issue can be settled,” Moraca said, adding that he met with parents and students earlier in the day to assure them that there is no immediate cause for concern.

Moraca said the Negros Occidental provincial government withdrew its plan to purchase two hectares of land occupied by the campus.

The CPSU president acknowledged that the most viable solution would be for the provincial government to proceed with the land purchase, although he could not confirm whether such a move remains possible.

The property, owned by the Nazareno family, was initially offered at P25 million, but negotiations reportedly fell through after the family raised the price.

Following the development, CPSU’s management immediately reviewed possible courses of action to prevent the closure or relocation of the campus.

Earlier, the Capitol withdrew its planned purchase of a land parcel, currently occupied by CPSU, due to multiple legal and procedural deficiencies.

The Provincial Legal Office cited reasons that included the failure of the Nazareno family to comply with legal and documentary requirements, identified legal defects in the executed deed of sale, and what the provincial government described as “adversarial and uncooperative conduct” from the landowner.

It also noted a lack of “sincere engagement” from the landowner, despite the provincial government’s efforts to assist with appraisals, document preparation and coordination with CPSU and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The land, currently occupied by the state university, had been subject to a usufruct agreement signed in 2017.

The usufruct has since expired, and the provincial government had planned to secure ownership to support future infrastructure development for CPSU./CJ, WDJ