Saturday, October 11, 2008 Barrita: ‘Economic sabotage’ By Eddie O. Barrita Small Bites
CEBU City Mayor Tommy Osmeña has warned anyone who will sabotage the impending sale of South Road Properties (SRP) lots.
“We will fight them and we will fight back using every tool that we have,” he said before leaving to seek medical treatment in the US.
His critics should know Cebu City’s coffers suffered more than enough for the SRP and they can easily see it by counting potholes in city streets.
***
Mayor Tommy said blocking the sale of SRP lots amounts to an “economic sabotage” against the future of Cebu.
Would any one do that?
Not me, said SRP critic and Tinago Barangay Councilor Joel Garganera, who feels confident he won't have to resign from his post.
Former Sen. John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña even assured his cousin he wants the Filinvest project to push through and for the SRP “to finally make money.”
But the deal must be above board and good for Cebu City.
***
Soon, we’ll no longer have overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
No, they need not all return to the country.
We will just call our modern-day heroes as expats from now on, President Arroyo suggested, saying it befits their vast contribution to the economy as well as their rising status in the global labor market.
I wonder why no one ever thought of that before.
***
Talisay City will hold the first ever “Baroto Regatta” in Cebu on Sunday.
It is a five-nautical mile race of small wooden bancas with sails,.
Spearheaded by retired Customs district collector David “Boy” Odilao Jr., father of Sinulog and Kadaugan sa Mactan, this “Baroto Regatta” is seen to become another tourist attraction for Talisay and Cebu.
***
But Odilao’s newest baby may not get any funding from the Talisay City Government.
It’s not included in the budget, Budget Officer Edgar Mabunay said.
Odilao and “Baroto Regatta” organizers, though, are lucky Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas (Cebu, 1st district), Talisay’s first city mayor, and Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, who celebrates her birthday Sunday without getting a day older, have pledged to support the regatta.
