A major sea change in the working relations between Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the City Council looms on the horizon.
This after Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district met with the councilors who belong to the administration Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) and told them to oppose some of Rama’s initiatives.
These include allowing the implementation of the Capitol’s P1.2 billion Ciudad project in the Banilad-Talamban area, the sale of lots in the South Road Properties (SRP) and the revamp of City Hall’s departments and employees.
The dinner meeting was held in Osmeña’s home in barangay Guadalupe last night.
Councilor Edu Rama, the mayor’s nephew, was not invited to the meeting while Councilor Nida Cabrera was in the US to visit her daughter.
Also in attendance was Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc. president Francisco Fernandez, a former city administrator.
Fernandez filed administrative charges against Rama and two other officials in relation to the clearing operations in Mahiga Creek in barangay Mabolo.
’What’s good for the city’
In a press conference, Osmeña said the meeting wasn’t about Rama’s decision to leave the BO-PK after the charges were filed against him.
“I discussed with them what’s good for the city because Rama doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Osmeña said.
He said the Ciudad project will only worsen the traffic at the Banilad-Talamban Area.
The mayor earlier said he will lift the moratorium on projects in the site.
A proposed plan outlined alternative roads to ease possible congestion in the Ban-Tal area.
But Osmeña said there’s only one road heading to the area and Cebu City’s northern barangays.
He said the residents there have property rights and want to develop their lots.
“The people there are paying their taxes to the city and the province does not. So why prioritize (the Ciudad project)?,” the former mayor turned congressman said.
Ruin
Last Wednesday, the Capitol passed a position paper to the Cebu City Council asking that they abandon the amendment of the city zoning ordinance which bars them from developing the Ciudad project.
The position paper was referred to the committee on law for further review. Osmeña strongly opposed the Ciudad project development.
Rama, who’s mending fences with Osmeña’s political rival Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, said the city government should not hinder lot owners to do what they want with their properties.
“He is just making sipsip to Godmother (Gwen Garcia)” Osmena said.
He said the Ciudad project, which includes a commercial center and heritage projects among others, will not generate employment.
Instead Osmeña warned that it will only ruin the existing business establishments on the area.
The Ciudad project was issued a barangay clearance from barangay Apas last month.
Planted the seed
In the SRP case, Osmeña said the council will oppose Rama’s moves to sell the lots.
The mayor said he wants to sell the SRP lots to interested buyers like People’s Champ and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Rama said the sales will be used to fund the P500 million drainage master plan of the city.
But Osmeña said it’s not the right time to sell lots since the value of SRP lots will rise once commercial establishments are built in the property.
“I planted the seeds of the SRP and Rama will harvest the accomplishments?,” the congressman said.
Osmeña said he isn’t threatened with Rama’s plan to revamp all 22 departments in City Hall since the council will challenge the mayor on this.
He cited in particular reports that Cathy Yso, who heads the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), will be transferred.
“Yso is one of my best department heads, very diligent,” Osmena said of his former executive secretary.
The council will also challenge Rama on the question of the hiring of consultants after the City Legal Office said the mayor had the authority to sign the contracts of all consultants including those in the legislative department.
“Rama wants to play the game, the City Council approves all negotiations of the city anyway,” Osmeña said.
Unaffected
The “Cold War” between Rama and the council ensued after the clearing operations the mayor ordered on Mahiga Creek.
Rama opposed the council’s proposal to grant financial aid to the displaced settlers, saying this will only encourage more squatters in Cebu City.
In a meeting with barangay captains last Saturday, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young announced the appointment of the congressman’s wife, Councilor Margot Osmeña as chairperson of the council’s budget and finance committee.
Young said Cebu City residents need not worry over the political feud between Rama and the BO-PK.
He said City Hall’s delivery of basic services to its constituents will remain unaffected. /Correspondent Fatrick Tabada