Rama expects more mileage in public debate on SRP sale

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he knows that political opponents in the City Council will block a proposal filed by his allies to rescind an ordinance restricting the sale of lots in the South Road Properties (SRP).

What is more important, he said, is the public discussion that will arise from the proposal.

“Whatever the result will be, let it be discussed. What is important is for the public to know,” he said.

Last Wednesday Rama’s allies — Councilors Mary Ann delos Santos, James Cuenco, Hans Abella and Dave Tumulak — filed the proposed ordinance that would allow the mayor to negotiate a new sale of SRP lots.

The draft ordinance was introduced during the City Council’s September 18 session and was referred to the committee on laws for study.

Rama, who has yet to get a copy , said he will continue exloring new investors for the SRP.

“I am just doing what needs to be done so that the people’s needs will be addressed,” he said.

But Rama’s arch-rival, former congressman Tomas Osmeña dismissed the attempt as an excuse.

“He (Rama) is just looking for alibis. The underlying issue here is that the city is bankrupt. That is why he has to sell. He cannot even pay the (city’s) bills anymore,” said Osmeña in a press conference.

Osmeña’s allies in the City Council secured the passage of City Ordinance No. 2332 entitled “An Ordinance Protecting the South Road Properties and its Stakeholders from Unlawful and Unauthorized Transactions and Dealings” last July 18, 2012.

Rama vetoed the ordinance, but the 14 BO-PK allies in the 18-member council were able to override the veto.

Rama’s allies are proposing a a new ordinance that would repeal City Ordinance No. 2332.

It states that by repealing the previous ordinance, the city would be able to manage properly its cash flow and maximize delivery of basic needs. In turn, the sponsors stated, this would mean better benefits to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, barangays and scholars, among others, as well as purchase dump trucks, modern firefighting equipment and modernize the Cebu City Medical Center.

“The City needs to sell its real properties, which includes the SRP, without being tied down by City Ordinance No. 2332,” read the draft ordinance.

It said City Ordinance No. 2332 “impedes” the authority of the mayor to openly entertain prospective buyers of the SRP without having to go through the Sangguniang Panlungsod and get their prior approval.

Repealing this ordinance, they said, would “increase the city’s opportunities to earn cash from real properties like the SRP, thereby contributing to the city’s finances.”

Osmeña said during a press conference on Thursday that, “It is a great misconception and deception to say that the ordinance prevents Mike Rama from selling the SRP,” he said.

He said the existing ordinance only requires potential investors to submit a proposal to the city government for evaluation. This will later be subjected to a Swiss Challenge if another interested party emerges. The ordinance also requires the adoption of the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) law in negotiations. He said both Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) and SM Prime Holdings underwent the same procedures before they were able to acquire lots at the SRP.

“Hasol ba na sa Filinvest? Hasol ba na sa SM? That was how they bought their land. Hasol kang Mike Rama kay dili siya maka sabot. Dili na akong sala,” Osmeña said.

Rama, meanwhile, said that the SRP management office is reviewing a proposal by a Japanese company to put up a retirement facility at the SRP.

“There are a few changes in their proposal. We won’t rush it but the SRP management office staff have to be quick enough many others are interested in the retirement facility,’ said Rama.