Eight councilors vs. lifting of moratorium

CEBU, Philippines - After Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) founder Rep. Tomas Osmeña expressed opposition to the lifting of the moratorium on development projects along the Banilad-Talamban road, some councilors also openly reject the plan.

Lifting the moratorium imposed during the previous City Hall administration would allow the Provincial Government to pursue the P1.2-billion Ciudad Project that a consortium of international companies plans to build on a Capitol-owned lot.

Councilors Alvin Dizon, Ritchie Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Joey Daluz III, Alvin Arcilla, Michael Ralota, Nida Cabrera and Augustus “Jun” Pe said they would not want to lift the moratorium until the traffic situation in the area will be resolved.

Mayor Michael Rama said he wants landowners in the Banilad and Talamban area to be given the chance to develop their properties. He learned that despite the moratorium, his predecessor had issued permits for some projects in that place. He said the City cannot go on imposing the moratorium and yet, issue building permits to some.

For Rama, property owners shall be given the “right to use” their property and its “fruits.” To continue preventing owners from using their lands for any development might already be considered as abuse of authority.

“It may be constitutionally incorrect for us to continue doing it. Naa may giingon nga deprivation of property without just compensation,” he said.

But Rama’s plan may not be smooth-sailing, as some councilors already has other plans.

“I’m against it,” Dizon said in a text message, adding that Rama should not break his promise not to allow the Cuidad project unless the issue on Ordinance 93-1 lots is resolved.

Andales and Cabrera agreed, saying that the 93-1 controversy should be settled first before they could talk about other developments.

For Andales, lifting the moratorium will worsen traffic in the area instead of solving it.

“Ok ko basta mahimo og alternative nga lapad nga dalan going to Talamban from Mabolo area. Masulbad ang kahuot sa trapiko sa Ban-Tal basta duna’y laing dalan nga lapad sa maong dapit,” Andales said.

Wenceslao also said he plans to register his objection.

“For now, I’m not in favor. If we lift the moratorium, there will be more economic activity and I think we are still not ready…,” Wenceslao said.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said the moratorium should stay until the City comes up with a solution to the traffic congestion.

Councilor Osmeña also shared the same view. While he believes in creating more jobs and collecting more taxes, he stressed that everything should be well thought of.

“Don’t get me wrong, I do also believe in creating jobs, collecting more taxes but its just like building a hotel, you just don’t approve the plan because it would create more jobs, you still have to see to it if everything has been complied with,” the councilor said.

Rep. Osmeña had said developments should be spread in the neighboring barangays of Talamban, Pit-os and Mabini.

City Councilor Eduardo Rama, the nephew of the mayor, said he will wait for the result of the study made by CITOM on the traffic situation.

Mayor Rama plans to talk with City Hall consultant Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem and ask about any developments on his instruction to coordinate with the lotowners, on whether it is possible for them to donate part of their properties for road-right-of-way.

He also would like to be briefed about the traffic situation at the Governor Mariano Cuenco Avenue. – (FREEMAN)