THERE is no need for residents in Cebu City to transfer and move abroad as incoming developments at the South Road Properties (SRP) can provide two million direct and indirect jobs for the next 20 years.

This is what Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella announced after the City granted the SM-Ayala Consortium its land development permit for its project at the SRP.

Direct jobs are those jobs offered directly by the company, while indirect jobs refer to job creation and business growth in the local economy as a result of demand created by various projects and its direct employees.

Labella urged Cebuanos not to leave the city as his administration is going in the direction of providing jobs and opportunities for its people.

“I am relying on you, Cebuanos seeking green pastures, not to leave our city. Let us stay here, let us together plant our hard work here for the progress of our city,” he added.

In 2015, then mayor Michael Rama entered into a contract of sale with Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) and the SM-Ayala Consortium, which former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña said was illegal because it was not authorized by the City Council.

On June 4, 2019, the City Council approved a resolution requesting the City Legal Office to file a petition for declaratory relief, which seeks to declare the sale of SRP lots in 2015 void.

When Labella became mayor in July, the council passed a resolution authorizing him to withdraw the petition.

Labella has created a special body to review the proposals of investors or prospective partners in joint ventures involving the City’s properties, especially in the SRP.

He said the special body is finalizing its strategic blueprint which integrates investor plans, assembling a smart, transport-accessible and ecologically sound urban core.

“As a result, the SRP is now at an advantage to draw good investment, create more jobs and optimize the City’s earnings,” he said.

Aside from the one by the SM-Ayala consortium, other developments at the SRP are the Cebu Ocean Park, and those by FLI and Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc.

Just like as he asked the management of Cebu Ocean Park to prioritize the Cebu City residents for its hiring, Labella said he will do the same with the management of other developments. (JJL)