City Council questions Rama’s approval of board membership

THE Cebu City Council yesterday questioned why Mayor Michael Rama signed the agreement that included Cebu City in the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDB) without their authority.

“When you say in his personal capacity, does that mean Rama signed the agreement not as a mayor (but as himself)? We don’t have objections but we want to be clarified if things were done properly,” Councilor Margot Osmeña said.

The councilor and her allies in the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) bloc in the council raised this point in yesterday’s Mega Cebu 2050 presentation given by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).

Councilor Sisinio Andales questioned MCDCB’s legal personality since one of its requirements include fund allocation from the 13 member local government units (LGUs).

“It’s hard to just give funds because there are scams. It’s hard especially if it is reviewed by the Commission on Audit,” he said in Cebuano.

Evelyn Nacario Castro, RAFI executive director for research program organization development, said that while the board isn’t registered with any government agencies, they are recognized by the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7).

Castro told the council that funding is not discussed yet in the MCDCB.

“For now RAFI is footing most of the bills in the conduct of our meetings and planning sessions,” she said.

Cebu City Hall was the last stop for RAFI’s Mega Cebu 2050 presentation.

While the BO-PK bloc in the council voiced their support, they still questioned why Rama signed the agreement without their knowledge and approval.

Acting Vice Mayor Nestor Archival said the mayor and the council should discuss the city’s membership in the board.