2 schools yet to be built despite funds

TWO schools for Cebu City have not been built due to budget constraints.

The elementary schools for Barangays San Jose and Pahina Central had been included in the 5th supplemental budget (SB) of 2010 yet.

But under the project information sheet, the status update of the two projects read, “Pending due to budget constraints.”

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama took a break from his 21-day leave to visit Sitio Bato, Ermita yesterday.

But before that, Rama had a press conference.

He told reporters he will check what happened with the school buildings and why there were budgetary constraints when these had been budgeted almost three years back.

Eight school buildings and five other school-related projects were appropriated P100 million under the 2010 SB including the P21 million, four-story, 16-classroom building of Regino Mercado Elementary School of Barangay Pahina Central and the P6.9 million, three-storey, sixclassroom building of San Jose Elementary School.

All eight buildings have yet to be erected but only the two mentioned elementary schools were stalled due to budget constraints.

Rama started to blame the Council because of their estranged relationship but was told the projects were stalled because of red tape.

“I will look into that and let them answer,” said Rama.

Some of the projects were also believed to have lacked the appropriate resolution from the Cebu City Council.

Of the eight schools, only Barangay Mabolo’s P14.4 million, four-storey, 20-classroom high school building had a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the contract. Endorsement Only one school, the P6 million, four-storey, eight-classroom Pardo Elementary School is pending before the Council, waiting for endorsement.

There was no Council session this week because of a national convention of the Philippine Councilors League.

The projects for the six other schools have not been forwarded to the Council.

Meanwhile, Rama plans to call a meeting with the incoming members of the Cebu City Council before they sit with a fresh mandate on July 1.

He said he wants to talk to them about the direction of his administration.

“We will discuss what we should be doing, what they want me to do,” said Rama.

Majority of the councilors elected are members of the rival group Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK). Rama hopes they will attend the meeting.

“If they come, thank you. If not, then at least they were invited,” he said.