Rama to meet PNoy at Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - Despite differences in political affiliation, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was invited to grace the commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power on Feb. 25 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Acting Cebu Governor Agnes Magpale has invited Rama while Governor Hilario Davide III is still out of the country.

Magpale and Davide are both allied with President Benigno Aquino III under the Liberal Party.

Aquino will be attending the observance of the EDSA Revolution Commemoration in Cebu during the flag ceremony at 7:00 in the morning at the Capitol on Tuesday.

On Feb. 24, Aquino will reportedly visit Cateel, Davao Oriental (which was hit by typhoon Pablo in December 2012) and Loon, Bohol, which was devastated by the Oct. 15 earthquake.

On Feb. 25, Aquino is set to visit Yolanda-ravaged areas in Bantayan Island, parts of Leyte and Guiuan in Eastern Samar. 

Rama ran under the LP in the 2010 elections but when the party picked former Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña as its mayoralty bet in May 2013 elections, he joined the United Nationalist Alliance.

Rama said if he would be given a chance to speak with Aquino, he will elaborate his “wish list.” “I have many things in my mind,” he said.

Matters regarding the improvement and development of Carbon Unit II, construction of the new Cebu City Medical Center and renovation of the Malacañang sa Sugbo.

Also, Rama said he would greet Aquino with “Hi, President.” 

During the first few days of Aquino’s presidency, Rama requested funding for the development of Carbon Market, however, the President told him to just loan the needed amount.

But Rama refused, saying that the city government has still to pay mortgage until 2025 and might face “currency fluctuations.” 

Rama wants the Malacañang sa Sugbo building to be used as command center for Central Visayas, a museum and preserve it as a heritage structure.

He said earlier that Undersecretary Lourdes Ong of the Internal House Affairs Office approved his request to use the building as command center.

“We don’t wish nga ihatag (Malacañang sa Sugbo) but we wish it could be functional,” he pointed out.

During the 5th World Eco-Tourism Forum attended by 400 individuals, including Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona and Magpale, Rama said he asked them to relay his “wish list” to the President if ever if he cannot personally speak to him.

“I shared to them (Ona, Jimenez and Magpale). I wish they can bring it to the president because Cebu hasn’t been getting from the national government,” Rama said.

He further said that Cebu received help from the national government in terms of infrastructure project in 2008 during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“When I went to Malacañang, flyover projects worth billions were only in his head (Aquino),” he said.  (FREEMAN)