Davide okay with Fuente Osmeña rehab
Capitol, City Hall have an ongoing court battle on ownership of Cebu landmark but the governor says he and Mayor Rama share goal of preserving the structure
GOV. Hilario Davide III brushed aside the Province's claim over Fuente Osmeña, saying the dispute is already in court.
He said that the Capitol is one with the Cebu City Government in preserving a historic landmark for the Cebuanos.
“Let's stop talking about who owns it, it belongs to the people of Cebu, not the Province, not the City, it's for everybody,” Davide told reporters yesterday when told of the City's plan to close the park for improvements.
Davide said he and Mayor Michael Rama share a common objective, which is to preserve the landmark. Davide and Rama met a few times, including last Saturday, to talk about what to do with Fuente Osmeña.
Fuente Osmeña is a fountain and a park built in 1912 as a symbol of clean and flowing water in Cebu and in honor of the late Sergio Osmeña, the country's fourth president.
The park is surrounded by a road that provides access to Osmeña Blvd., Gen. Maxilom Ave., B. Rodriguez Ave.
Last Monday, Rama ordered the park closed for several months so it can be upgraded in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) meetings in Cebu.
The Cebu City Parks and Playground Commission, some private donors and volunteers led by Architect Socorro Atega will work on the park's rehabilitation through a public-private partnership.
“I remember when I was younger, my grandfather would take me to Fuente Osmeña because there used to be a swing there and the fountain still had water,” Davide said.