Sunday, November 09, 2008 Focus on City’s health: Tomas
MAYOR Tomas Osmeña dwelt on his plans for the South Road Properties (SRP) in his State of the City Address Saturday afternoon and paid tribute to those who helped advance his programs.
As he goes on leave for “two to three months” to seek cancer treatment in the United States, the mayor also said his absence will test what Vice Mayor Michael Rama and the city councilors have learned from him.
“We are the only city in the Philippines that gives executive powers to members of the City Council…. This will test the system and serve as a dry run for 2010, when I will no longer be in public service,” he said.
Some 12,000 people packed the New Cebu Coliseum and hundreds more waited outside for a chance to greet the mayor and his wife Margot.
“Salamat ninyong tanan sa inyong pag-ampo og sa inyong suporta… (We thank you for your prayers and support). Akong gikomedyahan ang akong bana: imagine Tommy, you are driving people to prayer. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much,” Margot said.
While the South Road Properties (SRP) may have saddled the City with billions in debt—at least P5.06 billion as of August this year—it is also an asset worth billions more, said Osmeña.
“I would rather see a city with plenty of assets but with utang (debt), than a local government unit without utang but without assets,” he said.
He plans to model the SRP after the Mactan Economic Zone, creating jobs without competing with existing businesses.
He said the SRP will entice tycoons and their children to live there and not simply put up business, and for call centers to relocate to the 290-hectare property.
Come-on
In partnership with the University of the Philippines, he said, a graduate school designed to adapt to the schedule of call center agents will be put up as a come-on for workers.
“I do not know what the future has in store for me. But let me tell you, no one can take away the great privilege of having served you. I’m very, very proud of that,” he said.
“And I don’t know what pain or suffering I might have to endure, but this I will tell you: I will dedicate all my pain and suffering to my wife, to my son, to my friends, and to all of you my brother Cebuanos,” he added.
He told those gathered that his chemotherapy sessions required him to stay in the hospital for two days each week, so he decided to file for an indefinite leave.
But discussing his health is not important compared to talking about the health of the City, he said.
Even before he delivered his speech, the Zugbu band tapped Latino and African beats to keep the crowd energized.
The mayor’s wife said that others have asked them why they still manage to joke about her husband’s health, as they prepare to battle cancer.
She said it is because they believe in God’s miracles, in the support of the public, the services of topnotch doctors, and the presence of the mayor’s sister Minnie who was with them “every single step of the way.”
“You keep us strong and I want to say thank you,” Margot said.
Osmeña also took the opportunity to thank those who have helped him implement his programs, particularly Dr. Florentino Solon, a former city mayor, for leading the fight against malnutrition.
Challenge
He commended Councilor Gerardo Carillo, to whom he delegated the task of responding to calamities and distributing assistance.
The mayor has also asked Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. oversee the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill, while Councilor Edwin Jagmoc Sr. takes charge of the city’s garbage collection services.
Osmeña said the mayor is like the father of the city, and it is his principle in life that as a father, he will teach everything he knows so that his son will no longer need him when he grows up.
Councilor Hilario Davide III, who will again be acting vice mayor starting tomorrow, said that Acting Mayor Michael Rama and the rest of the council are “up to the challenge.”
“He has left the reins to us, and we are up to the challenge. We see the challenge, and like what the mayor said, this is an opportunity for us to prove ourselves,” Davide said.
City Councilor Edgardo Labella also said that the mayor has “clearly spelled out his vision for Cebu City” during his address.
“He has set the direction for all of use in his absence. We have to respond accordingly and consider it as a challenge to do better,” he said.
Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, on the other hand, said the mayor leaving the management to the city legislators is a “big challenge” but the mayor has armed them well for it.
“Pila ka tuig siyang nagtudlo namo, him being the father to us; and in 2010 dili na siya mayor, so dako ni nga challenge for Vice Mayor Michael Rama as mayor, Davide as vice mayor, and to us,” he said.
Absence
Carillo admitted that “some problems” might occur with the mayor being away. Carillo added, though, that he is confident the City can still run smoothly because Osmeña has assembled different teams.
Among these is the Mayor’s Management Team (MMT), composed of young men and women who graduated from college with at least cum laude honors.
“Maka-boost sa among morale, knowing nga we’re young and di pa gyud mi ingun-ana kadugay sa (we haven’t worked that long at) City Hall. We feel empowered and have a sense of belonging,” said 27-year-old John Paul Gelasque, who is part of the MMT.
Osmeña said that the MMT is the only group wherein one gets chosen because of one’s qualifications, not “political backing.”
“In spite of knowing that he has cancer, you can see his (Osmeña’s) enthusiasm,” added Rosalima Cimagala, another member of the MMT.
She believes the City can still run smoothly without the mayor because of Osmeña’s delegation of tasks, but admitted that “lahi ra gyud (it’s really different)” with the mayor around. (RHM/With KAB)
