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Monday, May 08, 2006
Mongaya: Overtaking Cebu City
By Anol Mongaya
Through the decades, Mandaue City like the other parts of Metro Cebu existed under the shadow of Cebu City. So much so that visitors from abroad think the cities of Mandaue or Lapu-Lapu still belong to Cebu City.
However, it seems this is slowly changing as Mandaue emerges economically, invariably aided by the choice to build the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) within its territory. We all know that the CICC is the venue of the coming Asean summit.
During the Mantawi Festival yesterday, we sensed that Mandaue City is serious in its launching its economic takeoff with the Asean summit. During a press conference a day earlier, Mandaue City officials unveiled a plan to become Metro Cebu’s central business district.
Moreover, the horde of reporters and photographers who covered the event included journalists from major dailies in Manila and a correspondent for major foreign news agencies from Davao City. Mandaue is already touching base with journalists outside Cebu both to generate economic buzz and in preparation for the Asean summit.
Today, people merely pass through the reclamation area on their way to a neighboring city or town. Mandaue officials intend to change this. The plan, in a nutshell, aims to transform the Mandaue reclamation area into a destination.
While Mayor Tomas Osmeña is quick to announce initial talks with interested investors at the South Reclamation Project (SRP), Mayor Thadeo Ouano of Mandaue City is mum on who had approached him like a poker player keeping his cards close to his chest.
I think Tomas is trying to generate buzz designed to draw big investors to Cebu City. The sooner investors come to pour in their much needed millions, the better for Cebu City with its multi-billion SRP loan.
On the other hand, it seems Teddy does not want people to know about negotiations until we see buildings going up at the Mandaue reclamation. In fact we learned from the grapevine that various investors had been quietly meeting the Mandaue mayor. Just before the weekend, three groups reportedly submitted letters of intent.
Perhaps, Teddy does not want Tomas to know who these investors are. Or even maybe to avoid arousing Tom’s ire for getting more benefits from the buzz over the Asean summit in Cebu.
Because no loan weighs down the Mandaue reclamation, Teddy could afford to give investors very attractive packages. This is one big advantage Mandaue City possesses over Cebu City.
***
Sonny O’s recent media pronouncements definitely made local politics interesting. One particular point caught my attention. He wants Rep. Nerry Soon-Ruiz to run for mayor. This sounds like the ploy years back to political kill an erstwhile ally. Remember how then Inday Nita Cortes-Daluz was convinced to run for a congressional seat at the fifth district?
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 8, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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