Asking firm for rent will only delay project – Rama

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said allowing W.T. Construction Inc. to use Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area for free helps the company and the Department of Public Works and Highways finish their project immediately.

Rama reacted to the City Council’s query to the City Legal Office and to the construction company over the installation of a batching plant at Block 27 for free.

“Nganong di man ‘na ipadayon? Di na mahuman (Why not have it continue? The project will not get finished),” Rama responded.

The company asked the city government last year to allow it to put up its batching plant in the area for DPWH’s project to rehabilitate the Serging Osmeña Boulevard and port corridor.

During last Wednesday’s executive session, Councilor Sisinio Andales questioned the firm’s free use of the lot, saying this is disadvantageous to the city government.

Rama, nevertheless, guaranteed that once the project is finished, the batching plant will be also removed also from Block 27.

“Inig kahuman ana, ihawa na ‘na. Simple ana (After the project, we will remove the batching plant. As simple as that.),” he said. The batching plant was installed in the area first quarter of last year.

When asked if he plans to collect fees from the private company, Rama dismissed the idea and said: “You know, og magsige ta og storya ana nga mo-receive og fees, og dili mosugot sila, unsa’y mahitabo? Mosamot kadugay na. (If we make them pay fees and they decline, what will happen? The project will get more delayed.)”

Rama said he even plans to develop the place that can benefit the public. During the executive session, lawyer Alora Mae Tambasen of W.T Construction said there was no written approval from the mayor for them to freely use the lot. She said Rama approved it verbally during a joint conference last March 2014.

Asked about this, Rama just answered, “I don’t have to tell you that.”  He, however, confirmed that there was a discussion about it.

The mayor also emphasized that it should be the DPWH that should inform the council regarding the matter.

“There are things that I do not have to do, but there are things that other agencies, the national government ought to do. Now, what will I do now?  Tell the council? Let the national agency write the council,” Rama said.

January last year, DPWH, through its regional director Ador Canlas, wrote a letter to Rama asking on behalf of the company to have them occupy Block 27 for their project.  Canlas, in his letter, said the project is essential as it will help ease the traffic congestion in the area. — Mechelle P. Florita/NSA (FREEMAN)