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Thursday, November 23, 2006
Cebu City mayor: Cost of food, services 'too much'
By Linette C. Ramos
CEBU CITY -- Mayor Tomas Osmeña on Wednesday frowned on the overpricing of some services and food for the activities of the spouses of the heads of state during the Asean summit next month.
Osmeña said that for one activity alone in the spouses' program, the organizers asked for P1.9 million, which includes the expenses for a P2,500-per-head buffet dinner.
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On top of that, the organizers reportedly asked for P20,000 for the chairs and tables and P28,000 for table centerpieces for the luncheon for the spouses at the Mactan shrine, he told reporters.
The amount will be charged to the P4 million the national organizing committee (NOC) allotted for the spouses program.
"It's way overpriced but, of course, what can we do? That's the way they are. That's P1.9 million for only one event...and still Mrs. (Paz) Radaza wants to get more money from Margot's funds," Osmeña said in a news conference.
The activities for the spouses' program have been organized by the wives of the mayors of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and the municipality of Cordova.
In a phone interview Wednesday night, Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Paz Radaza declined from disclosing the details and the expenses for the luncheon.
Radaza said she would rather not comment on the issue since radio commentators have already discussed the matter.
Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña also declined to comment, saying she, Radaza and the other first ladies are just happy to work together for Cebu, the host of the 12th Asean summit next month.
In Cebu City, the spouses of the heads of state will gather for a dinner at the Malacañang sa Sugbo, the unveiling of the Asean Friendship Park at the Family Park and a city tour on Dec. 12.
All three activities will cost P1.5 million, which will also be charged to the NOC funds.
Margot explained that although it is the three cities that are organizing the activities, it is First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who will host the event, as the spouse of the President.
The wives of the respective mayors of the three host cities have been asked to submit a budget proposal for the activities in their cities, which the NOC approved.
"We are three different cities but we're all working together for one Cebu. We assured everybody that we are doing the best we can and right now I don't want to go into all the intrigues," Margot told Sun.Star.
She further said that aside from the NOC funds, private companies and individuals have contributed to the hosting of the activities for the spouses.
Among the private donors are Ayala Corp., SM City, the Aboitizes, the Gaisanos, Bigfoot Global Solutions and other companies and private citizens.
"Margot has already taken pains to reduce the budget and even had to get funding from the private sector. We're doing what we can to minimize the expenses," Osmeña said Wednesday. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (November 23, 2006 issue)
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