|
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Editorials: Marketing SRP
Enemies and critics of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña may not be jumping up and down over the state of the South Road Properties (SRP, formerly South Reclamation Project) but they must be pleased.
SRP lots are not selling, according to Joel Mari Yu of the Cebu Investments & Promotions Center. Odd for a salesperson to publicly admit his goods suck, but it's out. SRP is hard to sell, Yu reportedly said.
People remember the mayor blaming the adverse claim of Talisay City and the non-release of the title for the slow demand for SRP lots. Mayor Osmeña virtually waged war on the neighboring city, from political leaders to market vendors and jeepney drivers, for spoiling his SRP dreams.
Delay of title
If the titles were so crucial, how come that with release and recording of titles last year, sales have not picked up? Marketing chief has the answer.
It appears that not only are buyers looking for titled lots. They also want interior streets, electricity, water and other amenities---the vertical development.
That reality in marketing seems to have been overlooked in the scramble for the titles and even long after that. Or is Talisay, with its adverse claim, still bogeyman and villain?
Our stake in it
No matter what agenda City Hall foes and critics push, the SRP can influence Cebu City's progress or doom.
Residents who cast their fortune with this city and even those who just expect basic services from it have a lot of stake in SRP.
The SRP has been bleeding the City Government, diverting precious resources from essential services and other needs for growth.
The mayor has been shifting, back and forth, from SRP debt not being a big deal ("I can sell a few lots and the debt is wiped out") to its being a huge strain and an enormous threat ("our priority is that we don't go bankrupt...if we hit the panic button").
Millstone on the neck
Stripping sales spiel and upbeat fluff, SRP is increasingly becoming a millstone around the city government's neck.
Who suffers as it keeps dragging City Hall down? Everyone. Thus, the need to circle wagons and help.
But maybe City Hall has to bring outside expertise. Apparently, devices of current resident experts are not working.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 6, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
