Osmeña’s proposal: 4K scholars for support of power plant

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña might consider backing the proposed 300 megawatt coal-fired power plant project of Ludo Power Corporation on condition that the company will set aside a portion of its investment for college scholarship of deserving students from the four barangays located near the plant.

Osmeña wants Ludo Power Corp. to provide 4,000 college scholars from Barangays Pasil, Sawang Calero, Suba, and Duljo-Fatima.

The mayor has proposed to Ludo to give each barangay 1,000 slots for scholars. According to Osmeña, the company can send a student to college for P40,000 every year.

"That's going to come to at least P160 million directly to the urban poor, that's my proposal," Osmeña said.

He proposed that the money will be given to Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and that RAFI be allowed to select the deserving students. The mayor said he does not like Ludo to just do "package training."

"Ayaw na lang kwarta na lang, here the money give it to RAFI sila na mobuot ana basta one thousand per barangay, sila mopili," he said.

He said that if Ludo is willing to accept his proposal he might push for the project. Osmeña said he had already discussed it with the company officials but they asked for time to think about it.

"I'm just thinking about, you know… when a big investment comes in, to me, don't say no. You know, don't say no right away, it's because 'I don't like that.' You work it out ba," Osmeña said.

The proposed coal-fired power plant is estimated to worth $500 million. The mayor said it is bigger than two SMs combined.  (FREEMAN)