Serge to build more school buildings

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III yesterday assured that he will continue to help the Cebu City Government even if it is no longer under the stewardship of his brother, outgoing Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña.

Serge, grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr. and son of senator Serging Osmeña Jr., said that he will continue to build more classrooms as education is one of his priorities.

Mayor Osmeña administered the oath-taking of his brother at an uptown restaurant yesterday. The ceremony was witnessed by city officials and other guests, including friends of the senator.

The mayor’s brother was elected as the tenth senator with 11,583,854 votes. Serge said that during his previous term, he extended assistance to many local government units throughout the country through his discretionary funds.

Every year, a senator is provided with a P70-million pork barrel for distribution as projects. But Mayor Osmeña admitted that his brother-senator also needs to respond to requests of officials of other local government units because they are also his constituents.

Mayor Osmeña, who was elected as congressman of the city’s south district, was asked whether he plans to use part of his P210-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the construction of more school buildings in Cebu City, but the incoming legislator did not make a promise.

According to him, the pork barrel of a congressman is “just very small” and he said the city has much funds for projects.

The mayor revealed that he has no particular project in mind for the south district.

He reiterated that defending the South Road Properties (SRP) and the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the city tops his priorities. — THE FREEMAN