Rama set to pay media outlets

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday asked seven radio and television stations to submit documents to the City Hall so they could collect unsettled obligations amounting to P1.7 million.

“Give me the documents,” Rama said.

City Hall owes seven broadcast stations – P920,112 to ABS-CBN; P189,750 to ABC 21; P240,000 to dyLA; P161,000 to GMA 7/dySS; P130,000 to RPN Channel 9; and P81,000 to dyMF Bombo Radyo.

The debts were incurred during the term of former mayor Alvin Garcia for the City’s cleanliness drive and the City Hall Hotline program.

Former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña, who won in the mayoralty election in 2001 against Garcia, insisted in not paying the amount, saying that the transactions were only between the media outlets and Garcia.

 Osmeña said the airtime placements were used by Garcia for political purposes. The former mayor also said that the transactions were not covered by a City Council resolution.

According to Rama, he has not received any communication from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) in relation to their collectible amounts.

With Rama at the city’s helm, the City Information Office seeks his approval for a city-wide radio broadcast. The information office asked Rama for a budget for the purchase of broadcast equipment.

Rama clarifies that he will act on the issue of the City’s unsettled P1.7-million debt if he finds it meritorious and will refer the matter to the City Legal Office.

If the legal department recommends for payment, Rama said he will ask the City Council to set aside funds for the radio and television stations.  (FREEMAN)