CEBU CITY -- The PHP18-billion major infrastructure project at the South Road Properties (SRP) will “remain a dream” as the Cebu City Council disapproved the resolution that would supposedly authorize Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sign the deal with the developer on Friday.
In a 9-8 vote, the Cebu City Council dismissed the resolution of Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. allowing Mayor Osmeña to sign the amended joint venture agreement with the Universal Hotels and Resort Inc. to develop Kawit Island at the SRP as an integrated hotel facility.
The votes were tied at 8-8, but Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella broke the deadlock.
Gabuya said he will seek clarification from the Department of the Interior and Local Government if those who signed the committee report are compelled to vote in favor of the measure because some signatories voted against it.
The mayor said he has already expected this to happen as the opposition is scared of losing in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
“I told you it’s going to happen. It is very simple politics for them because if they had approved it, by election time there will be so much construction there. All of Cebu will be excited and that means they are going to lose the election. They’re scared. It’s a matter of survival to them,” Osmeña said.
For him, the decision is a betrayal to the Cebuanos. He said that most of those who disapproved the resolution, specially mentioning Vice Mayor Labella and Councilor Joel Garganera, have not even brought any investors to the city.
“All this time and effort that I’m trying to do for Cebu City is gone. Over PHP50 billion pesos for Cebu City is lost because of the disapproval,” the mayor said.
Osmeña said the project was supposed to be the flagship of Cebu that would bring in 5,000 new jobs.
“More importantly, it was meant to fund the city scholarships for the next five generations of Cebuanos who dream of going to college. Now, (the) Isla dela Victoria (project) will itself remain a dream,” the mayor said.
Osmeña said this is the reason why he needs an Association of Barangay Council president and an SK president who will allow Cebu City to progress.
“Who you vote for on Monday will decide Cebu’s future. It is in your hands now,” the mayor said. (With reports from Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)
