City Council overrides veto on demolition moratorium

The Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) dominated Cebu City Council approved yesterday the override on the veto of Mayor Michael Rama on the ordinance that would have effected the moratorium on the demolition of the City Hall-owned Citi Center in barangay Kamagayan.

The 14 BOPK councilors and Ronald Cuenco who were present during the session voted to override Rama’s full veto on an ordinance which would have imposed a moratorium on plans to already evict occupants of the property which used to be a privately owned wet market.

“I do not oppose the planned construction of a residential and commercial structure in the area. My vehement opposition is on the lack of consultation and relocation for the affected families,” said Councilor Alvin Dizon who authored the vetoed ordinance.

His allies councilors Jose Daluz III and Edu Rama Jr. were not present when the council discussed the mayor’s veto. Councilor Edgar Labella, another Rama ally, stepped out of the session hall before the council could raise the matter about the veto letter. Discussion was already complete when he returned a few minutes letter.

Councilor Cuenco told the council that while he does not oppose of the moratorium, he also wanted to be certain that Citi Center occupants are legitimate occupants.

“We also have to open our eyes that the area is being used as a drug and prostitution den,” he said.

But Dizon clarified that “letting them stay does not mean we are tolerating drugs or prostitution in the area.”/Correspondent Edison Delos Angeles