If his role isn’t clear: Tom may skip 3rd bridge rites

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will not attend the groundbreaking of the Cebu-Cordova bridge project on March 2 if he will simply be a spare tire.

Yesterday, Osmeña told reporters he will have to clarify what his role will be exactly otherwise “I won’t go.”

The mayor made the statement after reading reports that Michael Lloyd Dino, the presidential assistant for the Visayas, said Osmeña’s presence would be “ceremonial,” as the mayor “has nothing to do with the project.”

“No. I’ll just ask them if I’m just saling pusa there because if I’m saling pusa, I won’t go, because that’s what he’s saying. Why will I go? He said you don’t have to be there. I don’t know. I’ll clarify. I don’t mind not being there. No problem,” Osmeña said.

He added, “I don’t have to be there. Cebu City and Mactan is the bridge. The bridge is not between Cordova and Michael Dino.”

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to attend the groundbreaking of the 8.25-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway that will connect Cebu City to Mactan Island through Cordova. The project is worth P27 billion.

Osmeña said organizers of the groundbreaking asked several days ago if he would not mind Dino’s presence in the event.

Osmeña and Dino are not in good terms.

While he does not mind Dino at the groundbreaking, Osmeña said, “The organizers of the groundbreaking ceremony told me if it is okay if Dino shows up. I said ok. I was acting, like, ha? I need his permission? I will ask clarification from the groundbreaking under (Adelino) Sitoy, what’s going on ba?” the mayor said.

Dino said earlier the project was approved during the time of former mayor Michael Rama.

Sitoy was the mayor of Cordova when the groundwork for the construction of the third bridge was ironed out. Today, Sitoy heads the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

The proponent of the project is Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation. The firm is now processing the permits for construction.

The bridge is projected to be completed in 2020 if construction will start this year.

In a separate interview, Sitoy said Osmeña is invited to the groundbreaking together with other guests businessman Manuel Pangilinan; Cebu congressmen; governors from Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Negros Oriental; Mandaue Mayor Luigi Quisumbing; Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado; Cebu City officials; and Sixth District Board Members Glenn Bercede and Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano.

After the groundbreaking in Cordova, the president and the guests will proceed to Cebu City to inspect the site near the Shell Island at the South Road Properties where the other end of the bridge will land.

They will then proceed to the Radisson Blu hotel for the bridge presentation and press briefing with the president.

Sitoy said he recognizes Osmeña role in the bridge project. He said City Hall has sent representatives to the technical working committee.

“Padayon ang trabaho sa technical aspect sa panahon ni Osmeña,” Sitoy said.

However, it can be recalled that in 2013 when he was still congressman, Osmeña opposed the proposal for a third bridge. He would have wanted a roll-on, roll-off port from Cebu City to Cordova, which he said would be a cheaper solution.

The third bridge, Sitoy said, is a realization of his longtime dream of having a bridge that can connect the town to mainland Cebu.

“Ang akong proposal before nga ang second bridge adto ibutang sa Cordova but I was overruled by NEDA. Nalipay kaayo ko nga mag-groundbreaking na gyud ang third bridge sa Cordova,” Sitoy said.

It can be recalled that when he was the Cebu City South District congressman in 2013, Osmeña said he was not amenable to the proposal to construct the third bridge, saying it would destroy some landmarks, including the City Hall. (FREEMAN)