June 11 a holiday, but not June 12

Now that the election is over, the Province of Cebu is waiting for the decision of the Cebu City government on its application to develop its property in Banilad and Talamban areas into a commercial complex dubbed “Ciudad”.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday said that while the province of Cebu is considering all options to pursue the project, they would still give the city government enough time to evaluate and decide on their application for the development permit.

“Whatever option I take, I don’t do it because I’m in a bad mood. I do it after I have thoroughly studied the matter,” Garcia told the press yesterday.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña through a City Council resolution stopped the development projects in Banilad and Talamban citing traffic problems there.

One of the development projects affected is the “Ciudad”, which is set to rise on a Capitol lot along Governor Cuenco Avenue in barangay Banilad.

The Council approved a resolution requiring the City Planning Development Office to study the situation in coordination with the City Traffic Operations and Management, Department of Engineering and Public Works and other government and non-government organizations.   While the study is ongoing, the planning office withheld the approval of the construction of malls, schools and other similar developments in the Banilad-Talamban areas.

Garcia wants an update of their application for a development permit, despite said resolution, as the Capitol stands to gain P2 billion in assets from the project.

Garcia stressed that had the project been started, the investors or developers would have also started paying rentals of the property to the province.

“The longer the delay, the longer the province is deprived of such income,” Garcia said. — Gregg M. Rubio/MEEV