“Let’s meet for priority projects”: Rama asks councilors to set aside politics

CEBU, Philippines - Setting aside political partisanship, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will be inviting all 17 city councilors to an exclusive meeting to discuss their priority programs and projects that may be included in the 2016 annual budget.

During his regular press conference yesterday, Rama said he will ask all the councilors to join him in preparing the “people’s budget.”

“Basin og we are too much nga two groups apart, much better nga let’s be one. And let’s just wait, 2016 (elections) will come,” he said.

The city councilors under Team Rama are Gerardo Carillo, Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, Nendell Hanz Abella, David Tumulak, James Cuenco, Richard Osmeña, and ex-officio member Philip Zafra.

Under the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan, are Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Dizon, Alvin Arcilla, Nida Cabrera, Eugenio Gabuya, Lea Japson, Roberto Cabarrubias, and Nestor Archival.

Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos considers herself independent.   Rama said he wants to hear the priority programs and projects of the councilors to be implemented next year.   Rama added that the meeting will take place next week.

“There will be a facilitator. That will be a meeting for Sanggunian Panlungsod as part of the preparation of annual budget for 2016. Let’s be one,” he added.

Sought for comment, Dizon said he is unlikely to attend in the meeting.

“I’m not really sure because maskig dili ko makig-meeting, kahibaw na ang mayor sa akong advocacies,” he said.

Dizon said he wants the executive department to look into ordinances that were not implemented yet, including the one known as the “Cebu City Socialized Housing Site Development and Lot Acquisition.”

Dizon believes that the housing ordinance, which he authored, will address the concern on informal settlers.

At present, at least 41,000 informal settlers are waiting to be absorbed into the socialized housing program. Of this number, 10,000 are still living in danger zones like rivers and creeks.

The city government needs at least 150 hectares to house the informal settlers.

“Ang ako lang pod sa mayor is, I’ve been requesting to stop or defer any demolition unless naay actual nga relocation site. Kon ma-address na, malipay nako,” Dizon said.

Andales, for his part, said the meeting is a welcome development.

“It’s a welcome idea. Kon magpatawag namo og meeting, maayo kaayo. Dili lang nga sulohon niya. Para makahibaw pod mi and para makatabang mi. Magpaabot mi sa written invitation. Mo-apil gyod mi,” he said.

Andales said he wants the mayor to provide all the city councilors with P5 million each for their barangay projects. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/ATO (FREEMAN)