Meddling again
-A A +ASunday, July 10, 2011
WHILE we encourage foreign and local investors to put up investments here to boost the economy, some local politicians block investments because of political and personal interests. Look at the move of Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district). He is bent on blocking the multi-billion peso Cuidad project of the Provincial Government in consortium with a Chinese company.
Tomas threatened to go to court after Gov. Gwen Garcia told the developer to proceed with the project, despite an existing ordinance that imposes a moratorium on development along the Banilad-Talamban (Bantal) corridor because of traffic problem.
Why should the honorable congressman go to that extent? It seems Tomas is making it more personal against the lady governor.
Just like the Provincial Ordinance 93-1 issue, Tomas is very irrelevant and a non-entity in this issue. He is no longer the mayor. The Capitol lot to be developed is in the north district, which is not under his district’s territorial jurisdiction. Let the current administration decide whether to give the Capitol clearance to proceed with the development. Tomas is a kibitzer and an outsider, as far as this issue is concerned.
His concern about the traffic problem once development starts in the area is a flimsy excuse. We can find solutions to that. First, the road can be widened. Second, a parallel road between Asiatown I.T. Park and Capitol lot can be built. There is also the Del Mar Ave. inside the I.T Park that can serve as an alternate route, then open the road that runs through the Central Command for private vehicles. Kana mao’y sulbad sa mga concern ni Tomas.
If we will follow Tomas’s logic, are we going to stop developments in other areas in the city where there is heavy traffic? During his term as mayor, why did he allow construction of two high-rise hotel and condominium along Archbishop Reyes Ave., when, in fact, it’s the same road that leads to the Bantal corridor? Is it because the condominium is built by Filinvest, whose owners are reportedly friends of and alleged campaign contributors to the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan? Or is it because it’s the same company that bought a parcel of lot at the South Road Properties, where Tomas got a huge commission?
Sus, dili na gani ta magmina-ot ba. Mao nay nakadaot aning atong ubang mga pulitiko.
Tigpaka-aron-ingnon. Sama aning Tomas Osmeña nga mora’g mao’y nanag-iya sa Sugbo. Pagkahilabtanon ba nimo, uy.
***
My condolences to the family of former Cebu City Councilor and Citom Chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem on the demise of his beloved mother, Caridad Borromeo Jakosalem.
Mommy Caring, as we called her, died last Friday afternoon at the emergency room of Chong Hua Hospital. Doctors failed to revive her after she lost consciousness at their residence at the Maria Luisa Subdivision. She was 90 years old. After Jack and I became close friend almost two decades ago during our Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas days, I was considered a member of the Jakosalem family. During special family occasions, especially during Mommy Caring’s birthday, she would always tell Jack to invite me. Jack’s older brother Isiong, who resides in Dumanjug, and older sister Lorna, who is based is the US, are also close to me.
Mommy Caring’s remains now lie at the Rolling Hills Funeral Homes along A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City. Interment will be on Tuesday at the Cebu Memorial Park after a 2 p.m. requiem mass at the Rolling Hills.
Take it easy Jack, Boss Isiong and Ma’am Lorna. I know how painful it is to lose someone very special. I experienced that when my mother, Nanay Doring, died three years ago. In fact, I have yet to recover from her death. But that’s life. Surely, we will miss Mommy Caring. May her soul rest in peace.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on July 11, 2011.
Opinion
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