Radaza, council ‘remain in good terms’ amid opinion clash

CEBU, Philippines- Despite differences of opinion between some of the Lapu-Lapu City Council members and Mayor Paz Radaza, the relationship of two quarters is said to remain healthy.

Councilor Francisco Senerpida issued the statement after the council overrode Radaza's veto on the council's resolution designating the old PUJ terminal in Barangay Pajo as the central terminal for vans for hire in the city.

Senerpida said the move of the council was based on the clamor of the riding public and that the council was merely doing its job.

However, Radaza said the city government has an existing contract with Taipan Development Inc. signed in 2010 creating a public terminal at the latter's mall. The agreement will not expire until 2035, she added.

Radaza reminded members of the council that among the undertakings of the city under the said agreement is to use the terminal for V-hires located near Taipan's establishment.

Earlier, members of the council and Radaza also collided on the issue of the unpaid real property taxes of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority.

To recall, the council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to receive the partial payment of MCIAA.

But even if the resolution "did not reach her table" her signature, the resolution was recalled by the council.

Instead, the council passed a resolution authorizing Radaza to demand MCIAA to pay its unpaid real property taxes amounting to P1.8 billion.

Last week, the council also invited two of Radaza's department heads to shed light on alleged irregularities of the construction of a department store in Barangay Basak.

Bankal former barangay councilor Mario Aying wrote a complaint letter to the council questioning acting City Engineer Allan Pedrigal and Perla Amar of the City Planning and Development Office about the construction when the area is said to be a wet land.

Radaza opposed the invitation.

In a previous interview, the mayor said she respects the council in doing its job, but she said she was also just doing her duties as the city's chief executive.