More assets than liabilities

In his financial report card to the people, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the Cebu City government owns P15 billion worth of real estate.

This includes Block 27 in the North Reclamation Area, the 300-hectare South Road Properties, the Citi Center lot in Kamagayan and a property in front of Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

The city earns about  P4 billion a year which includes its share of national tax collections in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

It’s only liability is P4 billion, the unpaid balance of its SRP debt.

The city already collected at least P2.5 billion worth of taxes as of May 2012, more than half of its P4 billion target for the year.

“In other words, the assets of the city government far exceed its liabilities.  And this speaks volumes in terms of the city’s liquidity,”said Rama.

SRP

Rama said Cebu City has been paying P600 million to P800 million a year for debt payments for the South Road Properties (SRP) for the last nine years.

He lamented that the City Council won’t let him sell additional reclaimed lots to raise funds for basic services, acting on orders of Congressman Osmeña, even though many investors are interested.

Rama said it was a pity that after 10 years, the area was still mostly grassland.

“Gani ang kahinay paglambo sa SRP nakadapit na sa pagtagad sa taga JICA tungod kay 10 na man ka tuig ang milabay gikan sa iyang pagkahuman apan pulos lang gihapon kini kasagbutan,”he said.

FUTURE PLANS

For the months ahead till his term ends in June 2013, and if he is reelected mayor, Rama said he would do the following:

· Draw up a comprehensive drainage plan  and traffic master plan

· Rehabilitate the sewage treatment plant at the North Reclamation Area

· Build a new fish port and children’s park in barangay Pasil

· Build a  new city abattoir

· Install a waste-to-energy project at the Inayawan landfill

· Study a plan for installing cable cars as a means of transportation in the mountains

· Build a circumferential road in the north to connect barangay Pit-os to nearby Consolacion town

· Build a bridge to connect mainland Cebu City with Cordova town

· Implement the Waterfront Development Project.  Chief of Reporters Doris Bongcac