Newsbriefs

GWEN CONGRATULATES JUNJUN

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia congratulated lawyer Hilario “Junjun” Davide III on his appointment as “special projects coordinator” for Central Visayas of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo announced the appointment on Monday.

“I would say congratulations for having been finally given at last a position. I wish him all the luck in his work and in the fulfillment of his responsibilities,” Garcia told reporters yesterday in her regular news conference.

Davide ran against Garcia in the last elections but lost.

He announced that he will run for governor again in the 2013 elections under the Liberal Party of Pres. Benigno Aquino III.

It’s the first time such a position was formed for the P6.5-billion fund whose coverage is nationwide.

The appointment comes a month after LP Cebu City leader Rep. Tomas Osmeña complained to party president Mar Roxas on the party’s neglect of Cebu in terms of projects .

The LGSF aims to augment local government funds for priority projects in its annual investment plan, like road repairs and water systems.

Davide will oversee implementation of these projects for the region.

Garcia said Cebu has been a recipient of the P35 million from the LGSF when it was awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping last year.

“This will be distributed to our constituents regardless of political affiliations,” she said. Carmel Loise Matus

PAY PARKING RATES UP 25 PERCENT

Motorist availing of the city’s public pay parking will have to shell out P5 more starting March 12 this year.

An ordinance introduced by Cebu City Councilor Michael Rallota amended the city’s pay parking ordinance from P15 to P20 per hour.

“Parking aides have been instructed to inform their clients and we have begun amending the signs to reflect the new amount,” said lawyer Rafael Yap, head of the city’s transportation office.

Yap told Cebu Daily News that Citom earned P34. million from its pay parking collections last year.

He expects to increase this year’s collection by at least one-third.

Rallota proposed the increase in the city’s pay parking rate not only to generate revenues but also to discourage motorists from using the city’s pay parking areas for extended period.

He said this deprives other motorists from using the pay parking facilities.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said he is studying the possibility of imposing fees for city hall’s parking spaces near Plaza Sugbu.

Young said in an earlier interview that occupants of nearby offices use City Hall’s parking spaces, depriving those transacting business in City Hall. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac