In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Marcos-Duterte tandem brings hope to post-Covid Cebu: Rama

By John Rey Saavedra

April 18, 2022, 6:52 pm

<p>Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. <em>(Contributed photo)</em></p>

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. (Contributed photo)

CEBU CITY – Mayor Michael Rama on Monday said the “dynamic alliance” of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte and the local leaders here will bring a "very promising tomorrow" to Cebu.

The mayor said this as UniTeam was preparing for a grand rally at the City de Mare in the South Road Properties on Monday night.

Rama said the Marcos-Duterte tandem for president and vice president, respectively, is something that can help while the city is recovering from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, and the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December, and Typhoon Agaton over a week ago.

“Our dynamic alliance with BBM Marcos and Inday Sara as well as Gov. (Gwendolyn) Garcia and the mayors of neighboring tri-city bring a promising tomorrow as we continue with our road to recovery. And I call on fellow Cebuanos to savor this relationship as we enter a new threshold as a country and united island, and a vibrant city,” Rama said in a press briefing at the Cebu City Hall.

The mayor said the “convergence” on Monday with different local officials attending the concert rally of Marcos and Duterte “will manifest the commitment of leaders who will work hand in hand with the city, province, and national level for a progressive Philippines”.

“We have had enough of the pandemic and the calamities we encountered for the past four months. It is time to prove and further strengthen the resilience of the Cebuanos to rise up and move forward,” he added.

As organizers expect the grand rally to draw around 400,000 people, Lt. Col. Ryan Devaras, Cebu City police office’s deputy director for administration, said they will deploy more than 700 police, military, and other law enforcement personnel to enforce order and safety at the Cebu South Coastal Road’s SRP area.

“As always we look after the crowd, considering that there will be many attendees. That’s what we are anticipating. That’s why we are fielding AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines, and rescuers in case of any eventualities so that we can guide them,” Devaras said.

Devaras urged motorists to plan their south-bound trips to prevent being stuck at the SRP area.

Lakas-CMD, one of UniTeam’s allied political parties, said the grand rally will be a "festival-themed" event.

UniTeam will also present its senatorial slate, as well as local candidates who may get public endorsement during the rally. Garcia will lead local officials in the event.

A concert dubbed “Arat na Cebu Island” will also form part of the event.

Duterte’s spokesperson, Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco, earlier invited Cebuanos to witness the grand rally.

In her social media post, Frasco-Garcia said dancers of the Rosquillos Festival from her town in northern Cebu will be one of the performers during the UniTeam BBM-Sara Festival Rally. (PNA)

 

Comments