CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said the City Government will push through with its plan to file a case against those behind the missing trees along S. Osmeña Blvd.
He said he does not agree with the pronouncement of Parks and Playgrounds Commission executive director Dr. Librado Macaraya that he would prefer for the WT Construction to pay the City P1.7 million so the missing trees will be replaced. The firm was found to be the one that illegally took the trees.
Each of the 88 missing trees, majority of which are more than 10 years old, are said to cost about P15,000 to P20,000.
Macaraya, who appeared in an executive session of the City Council last Monday, suggested for WT Construction to replace the missing trees as it will be used for the beautification of Plaza Independencia.
The facility, he said, will be used as the venue for the opening program of the International Eucharistic Congress in January 2016.
In his regular news conference yesterday, Rama said it is the stand of the City that a case will be filed against the culprit of the missing trees and not asking them to pay.
Sun.Star Cebu tried to get a statement from Willy Te, owner of WT Construction, but he refused to issue any statement regarding the mayor’s pronouncements.
During the executive session, the council asked Rama’s office to already file a case against WT.
Told about the matter, Rama said they should not be in a hurry, saying that due process must be observed.
The mayor said the City Legal Office headed by Atty. Gerone Castillo is already conducting an investigation on the missing trees.
Rama said he wants to meet with the representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the WT Construction as soon as possible to discuss the matter.
