CH to pay P1.7M owed to radio, TV

CEBU, Philippines - After years of waiting, the seven radio stations that have collectibles amounting to a total of P1.7 million from the Cebu City Government would soon be paid.

This as Mayor Michael Rama said that he is considering paying off the debt that was incurred during the term of Mayor Alvin Garcia, ten years ago.

The obligation was not paid when Mayor Tomas Osmeña took over in 2001 until he finished three straight terms earlier this year.

City Hall owes P920,112 to ABS-CBN; P189,750 to ABC 21; P240,000 to radio station DYLA; P161,521 to both GMA 7 and DYSS; P130,000 to RPN 9 and P81,000 to Bombo Radyo.

In the last budget hearing conducted by the City Council, city budget officer Nelfa Briones said the city under the account of the Office of the Mayor has appropriated P1.7 million for City Hall Hotline radio program for 2011.

Briones said the amount is part of the program and plans to be implemented by the city’s PIO, which will be discussing the city’s projects and development programs.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Rama said that, “They (TV and radio stations) have to write me a letter.”

The letters will be forwarded to the city legal department to submit their comments and recommendations.

Rama, however, said that the appropriation of P1.7 million for the City Hall Hotline program does not already mean it will be a payment of what the city owes them.

“Whatever decision and recommendations, I will adopt,” Rama said.

Carlo Dugaduga, president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, which had been in the forefront of the fight to have its seven member stations paid, said he “was very happy” to hear with the development.

“Magpatawag dayon ko og meeting kabahin niana and I will inform them about that development,” Dugaduga, who is also the current city PIO, said.

Dugaduga said he will have it all consolidated before submitting it to the Office of the Mayor for appropriate action.

City Councilors Edgardo Labella and Augutus “Jun” Pe, separately, said that decision will all depend on the mayor.

Osmeña refused to settle the obligation to the radio and TV stations despite persistent demands by the stations for payment.

Osmeña argued that he will not settle the payment and he vetoed resolutions that would have authorized payment saying that the airtimes were bought during the administration of Alvin Garcia and did not go through the city council for approval.

Garcia took out the airtimes to promote programs on sanitation, environment and information technology.

Garcia is a former friend turned bitter enemy of Osmeña. — /NLQ (FREEMAN)