Ban-Tal folk deplore "gag" at hearing

CEBU, Philippines – Some residents and business owners from the Banilad-Talamban area mull on creating a group that would work against the proposed ordinance that would prohibit commercial development in government lots along the Banilad-Talamban corridor.

The group, who attended yesterday’s public hearing on the proposed ordinance, also accused the City Council of “railroading” for not giving them a chance to speak to clarify issues surrounding the proposal, even if they are reportedly the ones directly affected by the proposed legislation.

The attendees had quested for anonymity for fear that their dealings and transactions with City Hall “may be hampered if we identify ourselves immediately with the opposing group.”

“We were surprised why we were not called so that we could have asked clarifications on the extremities of the proposed ordinance, like which kind of businesses will be banned and for how long,” one businessman said.

Another resident said she supposedly wanted to ask whether there are clear statistics to support that developments in the area would negatively affect the barangays beyond the north corridor.

“We all know that this proposed measure is just a product of the current feud between the City and the Province, but in reality we are the ones really affected,” she said.

Banilad barangay captain Malou Inocando-Tabar said she also has certain points to clarify from yesterday’s public hearing. Tabar said she was also surprised why, unlike during the hearings on the Banilad Flyover project, she was not made to speak yesterday.

“I really made some notes because I want answers since this is really directly affecting my barangay. Very importantly is the vagueness of the mentioned “no development. Isn’t this scaring away investors? Banilad just started to develop…I don’t want Banilad now to be the same Banilad in the future,” Tabar said.

But the City Council’s Assistant Secretary Cynthia Kahulugan said there were 20 entities and individuals invited to yesterday’s hearing and 10 reportedly sent representatives. Only one-Josephine Cachero of the Alliance of Barangay Apas Community Associations- reportedly registered as speaker while the rest opted to send position papers.

“When they logged their names, they were asked whether they wanted to speak their position or just submit hard copy,” Kahulugan said.

Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, yesterday’s presiding officer, also said he and some other councilors asked several times whether some of the invitees wanted to speak and air their sides.

Meanwhile, the representative of the provincial government opted to just take down notes of yesterday’s hearing. Atty. Rose Arnado of the Provincial Legal Office said they will file their position paper tomorrow.

For its part, ABACA is supporting the proposed ordinance authored by Councilors Gerardo Carillo, Augustus Pe Jr., Hilario Davide III and Richard Osmeña, which, if approved, would modify some provisions of the 1996 Zoning Ordinance of Cebu City.

In its position paper, ABACA said the proposal would reportedly benefit the 1,100 households that are members of their organization since it would encourage commercial venture beyond Talamban.

The proposed ordinance seeks to declare all public lands acquired to be devoted for the purposes which they are acquired and for other purposes. This specifically points the lands in barangays Apas, Lahug, Busay and Kasambagan. — Ferliza C. Contratista and Crischellyn Abayon and Queennie Kuebler/JMO (THE FREEMAN)