But he said they “recognize the plight of the City vis-à-vis its burgeoning obligation and the negative impact it will have on our beloved city and of course, more importantly, on Cebuanos.”
“The Province is in the position and is willing to help the City,” said Sepulveda.
Earlier, Capitol officials urged critics harping against the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) not to limit their scrutiny to a particular sector.
They also said people should not be alarmed over the continuing debate between the City and the Capitol as they are only amplifying issues to protect the interests of their constituents.
What’s more alarming, according to some Capitol officials, is not the verbal exchange but the “ballooning” debt for the SRP that will affect delivery of basic services.
He said it was the “unanimous consensus of the governor’s team” that “it is just right and proper that the Province should offer to help the City.”
“We read in the newspapers that the City is already offering commissions even to lawyers who can help sell the SRP and the need to generate some P3 billion to further improve the SRP. We can’t help but realize the urgency of the problem. Offering commissions shows the urgency of the problem,” said Sepulveda, who is also Capitol consultant on information.
Early this week, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña decided to allow middlemen to market and sell the SRP to fast-track the bidding of the 30-hectare lot he wants to dispose of this year.
He had made the same offer of a two percent commission in October 2005.
Osmeña announced days ago that the City will give 1.5 to two percent commission to licensed real estate brokers, lawyers, securities dealers, banking institutions and certified public accountants who can sell SRP lots.
In his news conference, the mayor said the City will use the proceeds not for loan payments but to fund other projects like interior roads at the SRP, lighting facilities for the circumferential fence and the development of the white sand beach at Kawit Point. (JPM)
