Monday, September 15, 2008 Nalzaro: Tomas does not own SRP By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
“THE South Coastal Road (SCR) will not exist if there is no South Road Properties (SRP). And SRP will not be there without me,” said Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. The mayor made this statement as he warned his vocal critics against using the SCR. The mayor said those who criticize the SRP should not use the SCR. He specifically mentioned Gov. Gwen Garcia, her father Pablo and brother Pablo John, representatives of Cebu Province’s second and third district, respectively.
For me, the statement of the mayor is a highest form of arrogance. What does he think of himself, a sole owner who has the exclusive right to the SRP? While we acknowledge that he was the one who initiated the multi-billion project through loan package from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), Tomas should be reminded that it is being paid by the taxpayers’ money.
At present, the SRP remains a ‘white elephant.’ The Cebuano taxpayers are the ones paying the loan interest to the tune of P1 million plus daily. So, the Cebuanos are the stakeholders of this project and not Mayor Osmeña alone. But in his pronouncements and policies regarding the SRP, it seems the mayor feels he owns it.
Few years ago, when Osmena’s relationship with Talisay City officials, headed by then mayor and now Rep. Eduardo Gullas soured, the mayor ordered the closure of the SCR. He put up a barricade and police checkpoint between the boundary of the two cities, making it inconvenient for motorists at the national highway.
Good that a group of lawyers, headed by Alfredo Sipalay, filed a case against Osmeña and asked the court to compel the mayor to allow motorists to use the SRP. The court ruled in favor of Sipalay’s petition. Without that court ruling, I think that SCR would still be closed now because of the arrogance and dictatorial tendencies of Osmeña. I would even suggest that SCR should be named to Fred Sipalay Street in the future.
Tomas accused veteran columnist Johnny Mercado of being an anti-Cebuano when Mercado wrote an adverse item about the SRP in his Philippine Daily Inquirer column. Mercado, in his column entitled ‘I told you so,’ was only giving his insights and forecast on the possible negative prospects of the SRP. Apan miulbo ang kaspa ni Tomas. He accused Mercado of sabotaging his pet project before local and foreign investors. And now like me, Mercado is on the list of Tomas’ most hated journalists in Cebu. Welcome to the club sir Johnny.
Why would Tomas make the issues hurled by his critics regarding the SRP personal? He should answer these criticisms in a more professional manner rather than engaging in name-calling and personal attacks. The issues being raised are all legitimate. The number one question raised by his critics is that: Why until now City Hall has not been able to dispose a parcel of the SRP contrary to their claim that there are already investors who showed interest in buying lots there?
Tomas put up the Cebu Investment and Promotional Center (CIPC) and hired Joel Marie Yu to be his top sales agent. The center is receiving financial assistance from City Hall to market SRP to local and foreign investors. Tomas and Yu keeps on bragging that there are already investors who wanted to buy lots and the bidding will be conducted soon. But until now that pronouncement has never materialized. Nagbuwa lang nang laway anang Joel Marie Yu sa hambog pero hangtod karon wala pa matuman ang iyang gipagarpar.
Tomas has been saying that the sale of the SRP is the ultimate solution to the city’s financial woes and the city could now embark into more ambitious projects. Well, my advice to Mayor Tom is to stop talking and start doing it. Prove to your critics they are wrong.
