Council seeks guidelinesfor SRP events

CEBU, Philippines - In an executive session of the city council, the councilors asked SRP Management Office chief Roberto Varquez on how the Kasadya sa SRP activity is being facilitated and how the city government earns from it, as well as other activities, including a food court, ‘market-market,’ among others.

City Councilor Margot Osmeña specifically asked Varquez for the guidelines on the activities at the SRP. “What are the guidelines? That somebody can (say)…can I come next year and as long as I have the permit I can do it or the mayor just has to tell you (Varquez),” Osmeña asked.

Varquez explained that based on the guidelines, a person who wants to rent out a lot at the SRP to conduct certain activities will have to write a letter addressed to the Mayor’s Office, which will then give the SRP management office the order on the particular activities allowed.

For the Kasadya sa SRP, Varquez said it was the Association of the Barangay Councils (ABC) which requested to conduct the activity from December 2014 to February 2015.

He said considering that ABC is composed of the 80 barangays in the city, the conduct of such activity would be beneficial for the constituents. Kasadya sa SRP has been running for three years now.

Varquez also clarified that for the Kasadya sa SRP, the city government is collecting payments through the special permits.

This was confirmed by City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas who said that the city government will be earning more than P300,000 for the three months that the activities will be taking place at the SRP.

Varquez also clarified that the Kasadya sa SRP has no entrance and parking fees since the objective of the event is to entertain the public at a lesser cost.

However, City Councilor Alvin Dizon emphasized that the city government should earn from it as it would help the city government in the provision of basic services to the public.

“Unsay nakuha out sa operation sa SRP. We should earn something naa gyud tay dapat ma-earn. Pila man gyud makuha nato diha. Ari na mobalik sa tawo in a form of basic services,” he said adding that the city government is doing its best to collect taxes to achieve the 2015 annual budget of P13.4 billion.

During the session, the council also asked on the safety of the rides at the Kasadya sa SRP.

Varquez assured that his office is constantly monitoring the activities and all the equipment used in the rides were inspected by the Office of the Building Official (OBO). (FREEMAN)