Espinoza: Mike’s ‘cash gift’ to village chiefs

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

THE rain that fell the whole day Monday flooded the lowlands of Consolacion town. This compelled the local government to evacuate the next day some 400 families from Barangays Cansaga, Pitogo and Nangka when the Cansaga River started to rise.

Because of the non-stop rain, barangays Guadalupe and Mabolo in Cebu City and barangays Banilad, Paknaan and Umapad in Mandaue City were also under observation.

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Reports say that four houses in Barangay Maguikay in Mandaue City were destroyed by the flood and some seven families in Mabolo in Cebu City took shelter at the barangay hall after the floodwater rose to more than five feet. Thanks God there were no casualties.

The signs are clear. The catastrophe that hit the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan is a hard lesson for local governments to learn. It is about time that Cebu City implements the plan to dredge Mahiga creek and not wait for the worst to happen.

The dredging of the Mahiga creek was stalled when the hardheaded informal (or illegal?) settlers along its banks refused to move out despite the city government’s offer for assistance during the relocation.

Settlers along the river banks and creeks should also think twice and consider leaving the area before it’s too late. Just because the rivers or creeks only swell during downpours but are safe in sunny days does not mean the settlers should refuse to leave the area.

The law requires a setback area of not less than three meters from the riverbank. The area is considered “no-man’s land.” But this law is being breached more than it is being observed. Local government units and government agencies only remember the law when tragedy occurs.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña should stop playing politics and allow Mayor Mike Rama to do his job. Congressman Tomas allegedly extended support to the informal settlers of Mahiga creek, thus they became stubborn.

Mahiga is in the north and hence is beyond the jurisdiction of Congressman Tomas, who is the representative of Cebu City’s south district. Being a party mate, Rep. Cutie del Mar just did not mind what Tomas was doing.

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There are no talks that Osmeña is planning to throw a party for the city’s barangay leaders before the year ends to counter the Christmas gathering of barangay officials that Rama hosted.

Mayor Rama did not deny or admit stories that he gave P5,000 to the barangay captains and P3,000 to barangay councilors in that party and that he allegedly conducted straw voting on who should run for city councilor under his party in 2013.

The participation of 60 barangay captains and several barangay councilors in the Christmas party that Mayor Rama tendered was remarkable. I don’t think it had to do with the supposed permission that Vice Mayor Joy Young gave them.

I am more inclined to believe that the attendance of 60 barangay captains and several barangay councilors in the mayor’s Christmas party was motivated by the cash gift.

Mabolo Barangay Captain Rey Ompoc denied that he received the cash gift. He allegedly left early, but it does not follow that the others who stayed behind did not get the cash gift. Perhaps Ompoc said it to show to his benefactor Congressman Tomas that his loyalty is still with BOPK.

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As the Year 2011 passes by after midnight tomorrow, I would greet everyone a happy and prosperous 2012, the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac.

(elespinoza53@yahoo.com)