Edu Rama, Daluz to handle barangay, legal concerns

TWO former city council allies of Cebu City mayor Michael Rama now hold plantilla positions while two other former city officials were tasked to handle the city’s port areas and sister city relations.

Former councilor Jose Daluz III was designated City Legal Officer while former councilor Edu Rama Jr. was appointed executive assistant handling barangay concerns under the mayor’s office.

Edu denied he will run for barangay captain of Basak San Nicolas in the October barangay elections and campaign for election as president of the Association of Barangay Councils.

“No. I never planned of running for barangay captain and go against captain George Rama,” he said, dismissing rumors that he will face former south district congressman Tomas Osmeña.

Osmeña earlier denied rumors that he will run for Guadalupe barangay captain.

Another Rama advisor, former mayor Alvin Garcia, will head City Hall’s Waterfront Development Commission (WDC).

Garcia said he will use as a model the Fisherman’s Wharf, a popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, California, in developing Cebu City’s waterfront and port areas.

He plans to convert the old Compania Maritima building into a museum and put up souvenir shops, seafood restaurants and a boardwalk area.

Garcia said he also plans to integrate the pier area into one air-conditioned terminal with TV screens and restaurants.

“If we can add another P20 for terminal fee for that, then we can generate at least P40,000 everyday with an estimate of 2,000 passengers a day. That will be a big return of investment on those who will be investing on it,” Garcia said.

Garcia also wants to develop a ferry terminal for the area similar to the Star Ferry in Hong Kong where tourists and locals from the pier area can reach tourist spots and five-star hotels in Mactan island without traffic.

“A ferry terminal can attract more people. At the same time, they can see the different cultural sites near the waterfront area like Fort San Pedro and Magellan’s cross,” he said.

For his part, former congressman Antonio Cuenco will hold office at City Hall to handle foreign sisterhood arrangements. Correspondents Jose Santino Bunachita and Edison delos Angeles and Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac