Foes back Tom on SRP project
Some opposition members in the Cebu City Council are setting aside politics and assured their support on the unsolicited proposal from a giant company to undertake P18-billion mixed-use development project at the South Road Properties.
At least three opposition councilors, however, expressed reservations until they are able to read the proposal and its terms of reference.
Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella promised that the City Council will not obstruct the project as long as it will be beneficial to the public.
“That project will have to be submitted to the Council because any undertaking, project that the city will undertake will have to pass through the council. Of course, we will be very objective about it,” he said.
He, however, said the Council will scrutinize the terms of reference and other legal issues before approving it. The vice mayor explained that this is the role of the legislative body to look at all projects and contracts to be entered into by the city government.
Labella said the opposition members are known for their objectivity. He said that even before when they had an upper hand, they have always approved measures introduced by the administration.
He cited the approval of the resolution concerning 93-1 lots and the authority they have granted to Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sell three hectares of SRP lots, among others.
Osmeña announced on Wednesday that JG Summit Holdings, Inc. will soon be submitting an unsolicited proposal to build four towers with 1,000 hotel rooms, restaurants, casino, convention center, yacht club, water park, among others at SRP. The mayor said the P18-billion investment is seen to increase the value of the city’s property.
Councilors Jose Daluz, Phillip Zafra, Raymond Alvin Garcia, Sisinio Andales, and Jerry Guardo also expressed their support for the project.
“SRP should generate the needed revenues and employment for our people who are burden with the loan and interest. But, we have to see the details of the proposal so we can negotiate the best terms for the city,” Daluz said.
NO DISCRIMINATION
Zafra, for his part, said any investment is worthy of the City Council’s support.
However, he said the city government should not “discriminate” other investors.
Zafra was referring to Osmeña’s public criticism against the investors who bought 45.2-hectares of SRP lots in 2015.
“We should not discriminate against the others. I mean let the consortium of SM and Ayala proceed also with their development in the area. That’s long overdue and we needed that,” he said.
Andales said the project would magnet other developments and investments at SRP, adding that the reclaimed-property will be booming with commercial activities. While he welcomes and supports the idea, Garcia said the terms of reference should be thoroughly studied in order to get what is beneficial to the city.
RESERVATIONS
On the other hand, Councilors Eduardo Rama, Jocelyn Pesquera, and Joel Garganera expressed reservations on the project until they have read the proposal.
Garganera said the mayor is “antidevelopment and antiprogress.”
“Pagsulod aning tuiga, when he dumped the garbage sa SRP, do you think nga ni-increase ang viability of SRP? Ang mga locators dinha, do you think it is conducive for business?” he said.
Garganera added that the mayor has been running after the giant developers who wished to implement world-class arena, Ocean Park, among other developments.
Osmeña explained that he did not allow and will continue to ban any developments within the 45.2-hectare sold by the previous administration to other giant developers because the transaction was “illegal.”
He said he is going to rescind the contract sale anytime soon. But, he said he did not block the construction of Ocean Park which is constructed by SM near its mall at SRP since the property was bought in the previous years.
“They are trying to make money out of this. I will just try to push for this. They want to block anything I do, I just have to fight for it,” he said.
The mayor said he is still waiting for the formal proposal from JG Summit Holdings, Inc. within the month.
As initially agreed, the giant firm will be leasing eight hectares at the old Kawit Island for 50 years. The city government will also get 10 to 15 percent of the project’s gross sales every year.