Last week, the legislative bodies of local government units started organizing their different standing committees.
In Cebu province, all members of the Provincial Board were given committee chairmanships and membership regardless of party affiliation. It seems that in the Capitol, all elected officials are committed to work together and set aside partisanship of the May elections.
Apparently officials of One Cebu party have accepted the fact that they are no longer the administration party or the majority in the board. There was no tyranny of numbers shown by the new majority.
In Cebu City the opposite is happening. The majority bloc kept out two members of the opposition or Team Rama from membership in any committe – Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos and Dave Tumulak.
When the majority was asked about the situation, the BO-PK dominated council justified this saying they in fact appointed Councilors James Cuenco and Hans Abella as chairmen of committees. But why are de los Santos and Tumulak not assigned as members in any committee?
Apparently BO-PK councilors were getting instruction from their party head, former Congressman Tommy Osmeña who we all know doesn’t like delos Santos and Tumulak. So actions of BO-PK councilors reflect the attitude of their boss here. Delos Santos and Tumulak must realize that this is part of harsh political realities. They may have lost in this round but I know that they will redeem themselves in the coming sessions of the city council and will be proven worthy of the votes of the people.
Mayor Mike Rama explained his program of government in his inaugural address before the City Council. The legislators through Councilor Margot Osmeña said these were grand programs but asked where the funds would come from.
The mayor said he envisions expanding the Cebu City Medical Center to the lot occupied by the fire department and maybe the area occupied by the Citilink terminal. I think it’s appropriate to expand the city hospital with the growing population and more people needing medical services.
The Citilink terminal from the very beginning has been out of place beside a hospital. It’s noisy and produces vehicle fumes. I think the city should no longer renew its contract with Citilink and put the property to better use.
A satellite hospital in the mountain barangay of Bonbon is a welcome move. For medical emergencies, hinterland residents no longer have to go down to the city.
The mayor said he is hopeful of prospects of the South Reclamation Properties (SRP) especially that the resolution of the council to bar the mayor from marketing and selling the SRP has already lapsed. The resolution was valid up to 2013 only. The councilors thought Rama would not win reelection.
Now the mayor may renew his initiative to sell SRP lots and use the proceeds to fund his programs. Drainage is one project that must be supported by the council. To benefit communities in flood-prone areas. I hope the project is realized.