Tomas tells developers: Go downtown, not in Cuenco

Developers wishing to invest in Cebu City should build in the downtown area or in the North Reclamation Area but not along Gov. Cuenco Ave. where the proposed Ciudad project stands.

“Why do they have to pick this area which is the most forested area in urban Cebu City?,” said Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

He said other than the province-owned lot, there are several lots in the city including those located in the downtown area which may be used for a new development project like Cuidad.

He suspects that some persons have earned from the developer of the Ciudad project but he did not mention names.

The consortium, Fifth Avenue Development Corp.. mentioned more than a year ago that they have already spent P120 million on the Cuidad project but still no structures have been built.

But Mayor Michael Rama contradicts Osmeña’s statements.  “Why would we stop anyone from developing that area. That is what you call free enterprise. When someone tries to dictate, one then has doubts on why this is so?.” he said.

Rama said any new developments should not be blocked as long as the developer complies with the requirements.

But Osmeña insisted that having Cuidad would end up killing other food stores and restaurants along Gov. Cuenco Avenue. Besides, the provincial government does not pay real property taxes to the city.

Osmena said he is biased for the lot owners in the northern barangays who pay their taxes to the city.

The traffic congestion the project would bring will also depreciate the value of land in the northern barangays.

He said when he was still mayor, he also opposed the construction of a hotel near the Maria Luisa Subdivision for the same reason. “Im not only picking on Cuidad,” Osmeña said. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac