Still no excavator

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña said she is wondering why the administration of Mayor Michael Rama still failed to acquire a multi-purpose walking excavator that can be used to clean-up Cebu City’s rivers and creeks and prevent floods even after the City Council had already approved the P20.5 million for its cost.

Osmeña, head of the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Finance, recalled that in one of their sessions almost two years ago the supplier of the spider-like heavy equipment held a video presentation before the city legislators to show to them how the walking excavator works.

The P20.5 million-worth walking excavator that the city government wants to buy will be used for dredging and other works because the spider-like heavy equipment is specifically designed for difficult applications and can still find purchase even in uneven or rough terrain. The equipment can be used in clearing operations of buildings and can also carry heavy objects to clear an earthquake-affected area.

Aside from its wheels, the walking excavator has “feet” and can climb even on slopes.

Rama said he does not know why the purchase of the walking excavator did not materialize. He has asked Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias to investigate this.

Cabarrubias, head the City Council’s Committee on Infrastructure, assured that he will look into the matter tomorrow. In a phone interview yesterday, Cabarrubias said he believes that the documentation was delayed at the Bids and Awards Committee level.

Even Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, vice chairman of the committee on budget and finance, also wondered why the purchase of the walking excavator has not been realized until now.

Cabarrubias and Wenceslao, together with Councilors Gerardo Carillo and Richard Osmeña, bolted the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan and formed themselves as the independent bloc in the City Council. 

Osmeña explained that the City Council cannot be blamed for the floods the city experienced last week because aside from approving the request to purchase the walking excavator, the city legislators also approved the allocation of close to P500 million for anti-flood projects, particularly in Mahiga Creek.

Several low-lying areas in the city usually experience floods whenever there is a heavy downpour because the rivers and creeks are already silted and need massive dredging and to restore the old width of the waterways.

But according to Osmeña instead of spending the funds for its purpose, the mayor realigned the P300 million for the construction of a new building for the Cebu City Medical Center after the old hospital building was demolished after it was damaged by last year’s magnitude 6.7 earthquake.

“Asa may palabihon nato ang kinabuhi sa mga tawo o ang baha?” Rama earlier reacted to his critics.

“Mao na nga dili g’yud kami nga mga konsehal maoy angay’ng basulon kun maglunop dinhi sa siyudad kay gi-approve namo sa City Council ang anti-flood projects sa mayor apan wala niya gamita,” Osmeña explained. —/BRP (FREEMAN)