Sparks fly between Rama, del Mar

CEBU City’s controversial flyovers weren’t on the agenda in yesterday’s meeting of the Regional Development Council in Tagbilaran City.

But Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and former north district congressman Raul del Mar exhanged heated words about the propriety of taking it up and how the RDC was being “bypassed”.

At one point, the verbal encounter got so tense, the host Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim suggested that the two talk in a separate venue.

Del Mar who was representing his daughter, incumbent north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, butted in when discussion turned to how the RDC was being bypassed in approval of projects, an obvious reference to the flyovers which he and his daughter are championing.

“There is no problem taking the project to the RDC… Once we have the endorsement of the City Development Council, that’s the proper time to discuss the project,” he said.

Del Mar butted in to object when private sector representative Fr. Margarito Alingasa asked why some projects got approved in Manila, bypassing the RDC.

“There are already in fact more projects approved without passing through RDC. What is the RDC for, if it is not for endorsing the project?” the priest asked.

Rama, who chairs the RDC 7, chided Del Mar for butting in while another council member was talking.

“Excuse me, if you don’t mind, Mr. del Mar, while you represent your daughter, the chairman still has not recognized you, and by the time you are given the floor, that’s the only time you are allowed to speak,” Rama said.

Del Mar continued to speak despite Rama’s rebuke.

“Don’t we have any say in this RDC? Are we not entitled to participate in the discussion?” he complained.

When he was finally recognized by the chairman, del Mar thanked Rama for his “kind consideration.”

“I apologize that we are taking the time of the RDC in discussing a local project which could be resolved in the local level,” Del Mar said.

Del Mar was referring to the City Development Council’s decision not to endorse flyover projects.

Del Mar said he was not present because notice of the CDC meeting was given only a day earlier by text.

“The decision was made without giving a chance to those who want to justify the inclusion of the project. But that doesn’t mean we can’t ask for reconsideration. Let us not talk about this now because there is no endorsement from the CDC. Let us talk about it when we have the endorsement,” said del Mar.

Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim who was hosting the meeting intervened and suggested that Rama and del Mar talk in a separate venue.

“Much as we would like to participate and be educated, why don’t you talk to each other?” Lim said. In a talk later with reporters, Rama said it was important to talk about the flyover projects in the RDC because it was not just a “local” concern.

He said CDC did not endorse the two flyover projects referring to resolution number 001-0615 signed last June 15.

The CDC resolution was for the non-endorsement of the Juan Luna – M.J. Cuenco and Juan Luna – Cardinal Rosales flyover projects.

RDC members were furnished copies of the resolution.

To resume discussion on how the RDC was being bypassed, Social Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Teresa Fernandez took the floor.

“It has been made clear in the Siquijor meeting (in March) that projects are subject to endorsement of the local development council concerned before being taken up for endorsement by the RDC,” Fernandez said.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 Regional Director Ador Canlas clarified that they did not pass over any local development council in any nationally funded project in the region.

It can be recalled that the DPWH 7 presented early this week a traffic study which favored the construction of the Juan Luna – M.J. Cuenco flyover in barangay Mabolo and an underpass in Gorordo Avenue instead of a flyover that would partially affect the Asilo de Milagrosa Church.