Editorial - Solving the 93-1 problem

After more than three years, formal negotiation between the province and city for the fate of those living in the 93-1 lots started last Friday. The talks involved Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda and Cebu City administrator Jose Mari Poblete. They met at the latter’s City Hall office.

But it remains to be seen whether this new development would bring light at the end of the tunnel. Many believe the talks would never bear fruits since the two sides face gargantuan tasks in solving the problem.

For his part, Cebu City south district Representative Tomas Osmeña, during whose term as mayor the land-swap deal between the city and Capitol floated, branded what came up from the initial talks as “moro-moro.”

Maybe Osmeña has seen things in the initial talks he believes won’t help solve the issue. But it’s early to tell. The negotiation has a long way to go before it can come up with a solution to the 93-1 problem.

Of course, Sepulveda and Poblete cannot solve the problem themselves. They are only point persons in the negotiation, which means they don’t have the authority over the matter. They have to report what they have discussed to their bosses, who will have the final say.

We do not want to believe the talks started by Sepulveda and Poblete are a useless undertaking. At least we are now beginning to see movements in the issue, movements that would hopefully give hope to the 93-1 occupants. 

However, it should have been their bosses – Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Mayor Michael Rama – sitting at the negotiating table. Being the only leaders who can solve the issue, there’s no reason for Garcia and Rama not to be involved in the negotiations themselves.

They should take their good relationship as an opportunity to come together and discuss the 93-1 issue. This way, the public would see them as hands-on leaders willing to be united in the effort to solve the problem.