Dino takes swipe at Osmeña over RDC move on projects

CEBU, Philippines — Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino took a swipe at Mayor Tomas Osmeña who described the Regional Development Council-7 as incompetent for blocking some infrastructure projects for Cebu City.

Yesterday, Dino said Osmeña has been the one in public service for 30 years yet Cebu City continues to face problems in housing, flooding, and traffic.

"So, who is incompetent now?" Dino said.

On a matter unrelated to RDC, Dino said Osmeña lied when he said President Rodrigo Duterte stopped Dino's presentation on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System before Dino could finish it.

"That is not true. I am able to finish my presentation. In fact, the President wants more presentation in our next Cabinet meeting," Dino said.

Dino has been critical of the BRT, which Osmeña is pushing for implementation.

As far as the RDC is concerned, Dino explained that the council, which is chaired by Kenneth Cobonpue, wants the multi-billion infrastructure projects are implemented in Cebu City but also wants “proper perspective” to avoid traffic gridlock.

Osmeña described the RDC incompetent after it endorsed a budget for a feasibility study and not a budget for actual construction of proposed projects for the Cebu City’s North District.

North District Rep. Raul Del Mar walked out of the RDC meeting last March 16, saying the changes in the Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs) the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 endorsed to RDC-7 for Fiscal Year 2019 was different from what he agreed to two months ago.

What he signed two months ago, he said, was a list of projects for the North District but what the RDC endorsed last March 16 was a budget for a feasibility study and not a budget for the actual construction of the projects.

Glenn Soco, chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee of RDC-7, has said they don’t want politics to influence the RDC and they want the council to be proactive and collective in approving policies and projects.

“With our recent actions, we have been branded negatively by some quarters to the point of destroying our credibility.  We are here to do our jobs and protect the interest of the Cebuanos.  Let me remind those powerful and influential personalities who are out to destroy us - wala pa mi sala sa publiko," Soco said in a post on Facebook.

Soco said they are not blocking the infrastructure projects but only wants them implemented in proper sequence.

"We have the best interest of the people in carrying out our mandate,” Soco said.

He cited that since they started their last term in the RDEC in 2016, they have endorsed numerous projects like the Metro Cebu Expressway, North and South bypass roads, the Mactan Road Network Upgrade, widening of H. Cortes, New Connector Bridge in Bohol, and upgrading of the Cang-alwang airport in Siquijor, among others.

"It is not that the RDC is not open to recommendations and inputs but everything that is taken up is thoroughly deliberated by the committees and the council. On the matter of the agency budgets, this is probably the first time that the Infrastructure Development Committee scrutinized DPWH Plans and Programs for budget consideration," Soco added.

Soco said RDC’s constitutional mandate is very clear – the highest planning and policymaking body of the region with a chairman appointed by no less than the President.

"Cebu is about its people and her economy. This is the reason why all of us stakeholders need to be consulted in any plan and project that are for our city and our province," Soco said further. — /JMO (FREEMAN)