Mike says Tomas is "Anti-Cebu City"

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called Representative Tomas Osmeña “Anti-Cebu City” for announcing that he will cancel over P300 million worth of projects and let the funds revert to the national treasury.

Rama hit his former ally, saying that by by deciding to cancel the projects and let the funding go, Osmeña is a “very irresponsible official.”.

He said that if Osmeña really cares for Cebu City, he will let the fund be realigned to other purposes like road projects that need concreting in the north district or the construction of a sea wall along the coastal area to protect the coastal residents against big waves and rise of water level during heavy rain and typhoon.

Osmeña last Wednesday announced that he will cancel over P300 million worth of projects that he secured for Cebu City because of the opposition of Mayor Rama.

The P300 million projects he said he secured include the six road concreting projects that Rama earlier asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to suspend.

Rama earlier said the conreting projects in the six specific locations are not necessary at the time because the roads are still in good condition.

The six road concreting projects will cost over P140 million. There are other projects that Osmeña has requested to be funded by DPWH. Osmeña said he will cancel all because Rama is an “obstructionist.”

But Rama doesn’t believe that the congressman is that influential and powerful to cancel the projects and let the fund be reverted to the national treasury.

“Kinsa man diay siya? Siya diay ang mu-cancel? Ayaw paghinambog. Can’t the mayor make a representation?” Rama said. (Who is he? Does he have the sole authority to cancel?)

Rama said he will write the President first, then the Secretary of DPWH and lastly the Regional Director of DPWH in Central Visayas to request that the budget be realigned for other significant projects.

“Akong ipaagi ug petition. I will request as the RDC (Regional Development Council) Chair, as the Mayor and as a concerned citizen,” he said.

Rama clarified he is not an obstructionist, but what he is doing is to ensure that the government’s money is not wasted on unnecessary projects.  (FREEMAN)