Billboard eyed for Alvin, Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Tomas Osmeña is eyeing of putting up a billboard at the public market in Barangay Cogon Ramos that would bear the pictures of former mayor Alvin Garcia and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Osmeña said the billboard would serve as a reminder of the “damage” the Garcias have done against the city, such as destroying the Ramos public market during the term of Alvin and the move of the provincial government to allegedly “destroy” the image of the South Road Properties.

The city, during Alvin’s term, reportedly spent P16 million to demolish the two-storey Ramos public market that was rebuilt when Osmeña took over as mayor. Osmeña said he wants residence of Barangay Cogon Ramos to know that the public market may be demolished yet again if they would vote for Alvin.

He also alleged that the governor is “active” in destroying the image of the SRP that has ushered in money for the city.

“That is to remind them of the damage the Garcias have done. People have such a short memory. I will tell them to go ahead, vote for the Garcias and you will all be kicked out,” Osmeña said.

“They want to destroy the SRP so the senior citizens will lose their assistance,” the mayor added.

Aside from the billboard, Osmeña said he will also distribute leaflets to the resident of barangay Apas, especially those residing on Capitol- owned lots.

Last year, Osmeña filed a case against the governor and former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro for signing the memorandum of agreement on the turnover of the Central Command lot in Apas to the province.

The city government believes that Capitol is planning to convert the 80-hectare property into another of its economic enterprises, when CentCom and the residents who occupy the portion of the vast property would finally vacate it. At least 1,200 residents are expected to be affected by the move.

The FREEMAN tried, but failed to get comment from Alvin and the Capitol.

Aside from the two Garcias, Osmeña also hit at those who are said to be dissatisfied by the achievements of the city government.

Recently, his sister, Georgia Osmeña, who is running for Cebu City Mayor under Lakas-Kampi, said the city’s cash position of over P3.19 billion should not be a reason for celebration because the city allegedly remains unable to deliver basic services to the residents.

The mayor’s cousin, Sonny Osmeña, who also running for mayor, said the P3.19 billion cash position he referred as city’s surplus cannot be true.

Yesterday, the mayor clarified that the P3.19 billion cash balance he reported as the highest ever reached by the city government in history, is not considered surplus, but the “cash position” of the city as of the time it was reported.

He said earlier a portion of the budget has already been obligation, albeit no exact amount was revealed. Osmeña said it is unfair for the city to be accused of not delivering basic services.

“It is very easy to accuse that we are not doing enough because you are comparing us to perfection,” Osmeña said.

The mayor contended that City Hall has never turned down any request from the barangays in implementing the waste management project. He also said the city has developed all public roads within its vicinity and more projects are reportedly underway.

“If there are roads here we have not developed, that is because we can not touch it since it is a private property,” he said.

Osmeña said further that the supplemental budget this year has, so far, been the biggest with P1.5 billion set aside for various infrastructure projects and health care programs. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)