The Cebu City Council has spoken. In a 9-8 vote the executive department branded as politically motivated, the legislative body rejected a resolution authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sign a joint venture agreement with a developer that wants to develop a portion of the South Road Properties.
Last Friday's voting practically killed the proposal by a developer to put up a multi-billion integrated resort and casino on what once was Kawit Island and now part of the SRP. The development was expected to generate at least 5,000 jobs and billions in revenue for the city.
It was Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr., an ally of Osmeña, who pushed for the approval of his proposed resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the joint venture agreement. But the opposition, which composes the majority in the council, shot it down during the voting, saying the agreement could be disadvantageous to the city.
The Kawit development rejection comes amid another proposal by a Manila-based developer which is eyeing to purchase three hectares at the SRP for a mixed-use development that include at least nine residential towers.
The opposition council members may have found some items in the agreement disadvantageous to the city. But they cannot escape the fact that their decision was largely part of the political game they are playing with the administration.
The Kawit project could have been a perfect opportunity since the city government badly needs more investments to generate additional revenues to finance development programs and projects, and allocate job opportunities for its inhabitants.
To help the city, the opposition council members could have done their part by opting to lobby for the return of the JVA to the executive department for further refinement rather than launch a bloody attack on the proposal authorizing Osmeña to enter into an agreement with the Kawit developer.
If politics continues to rear its ugly head at the Cebu City Hall, it will just be a matter of time before investors sidestep the city in favor of its neighbors.