SRP deal: Proof of SM's confidence

As I prepared this piece, the drums and the beats are so dominating in every nook and cranny of the city’s conspicuous places. As usual, we can all expect that at the height of the Basilica’s and the City Hall’s preparation for the religious observance and festivities of the Sinulog, respectively, the annual debates as to its commercialization among devotees, the faithful and the more pragmatic citizens will again take the spotlight. It shall be so intense that we might even think that during and after the celebrations, animosities between the faithful and the festival organizers shall certainly pervade. However, as the finale had always been, the issue shall end as the religious activities shall solemnly bring hope to everyone. All these skirmishes, whether political or canonically related, will simply die as the festival’s fireworks vanish in the night.

The day after, the most talked about development won’t be how a contingent did it for the big win in the free interpretation category nor the perennial winner’s grab for the sinulog-based award. The euphoria of these contingents’ victories shall disappear as the last tourist leaves Cebu for home. 

What certainly shall stay for awhile and hopefully shall have long and positive impact on our lives is SM’s final decision to invest at the SRP. Though, the timing of the announcement is seemingly politically choreographed, it undeniably came out to be the greatest gift to Cebuanos in this year’s observance of the Sinulog. Now, a melting pot of many races, this is a lasting gift that will certainly impact on the lives, not only of the Cebuanos, but of the entire country’s population as well. 

Let us consider this news in terms of economic development. Apart from improving the City Hall’s cash flow to the tune of P2.7 billion for the purchase price alone of the SRP’s 30 hectares, in the long run, such deal brings to fore SM’s projected investment of P20 billion in the next eight years.

Apparently, a show of confidence, this development includes the building of a 250,000 square meter shopping mall.  If this pushes through, it shall become one of the ten largest malls in the world today. Not only that, SM envisioned the entire 30 hectares to be a total integrated facility that will have two hotels, a huge convention center of about 20 thousand square meters, high-rise residential and commercial condominiums, a university and a hospital.

Looking at the construction aspect alone, even the blind can see how enormous it is. The business that it shall generate after its completion is just too huge that sources of money for the improvement of basic services can be easily attained. Lest we must forget, the Filinvest group has its own area to develop too.

However, while we try to salivate on the prospects of this recent development, we couldn’t ignore the possibility that the City’s political opponents will go over their arsenal to shoot it down.   Just so concern about themselves, they shall simply cuddle their egos. Totally unmindful of what this positive development may bring to their constituents.

We might sound like broken records but we have to reemphasize that their rivalries are bringing us nowhere. Supposedly, in their hands, immediate solutions are held. Obviously aware but unmindful, they should be reminded that lots of Cebuanos are now penniless. Further losses of more jobs brought about by production cuts and plant closures remain real threats that could lead to labor unrest and more factory shutdowns.

Moreover, with the economic crunch still obtaining globally, they should be aware that their constituents’ anxieties are too overwhelming to ignore. As the sun sets, the possibilities that a kid may be taken out of school involuntary and the likelihood of skipping a day’s important meal are becoming more imminent. Worst, the probability that a benefactor may go home from an overseas job earlier than expected and the thought of abandoning a life of abundance will continue to hound the family unbearably. 

Hopefully, the capitol, the Garcias’, and other political opponents, instead of shooting this down, will keep their guns safely locked. In doing so, they have actively participated in an undertaking that might bail out families from imminent hunger. It means a go for SM and Filinvest without hitches. Therefore, it means a go for large scale construction projects. With this development, thousands of construction workers and laborers will find some solace in them while waiting for the economic turmoil to wane. 

As they keep their (political opponents) guns in the armory, we hope that City Hall reciprocates it too. While it is not mandatory, for the Cebuanos’ welfare, it is necessary to a certain extent. Cebuanos are all aware that the City Hall is making it hard for the Capitol to develop its prime lots. Setting aside pride, Capitol’s proposed projects are very positive and beneficial. It is not just good for the Capitol which will directly benefit from the development or to the City Hall as it earns in terms of real property taxes and business licenses fees but the Cebuanos as well as they seek refuge from these projects’ labor-generating potential. 

Capitol’s Ciudad project is long overdue and had been losing a lot of opportunities. Then, it wasn’t approved by City Hall because of a seemingly valid reason, traffic congestion. Asked to wait until the Banilad flyover is finished, the Capitol patiently acceded. Now that the Banilad flyover is completed, we hear nothing from the City Hall. Apart from the Ciudad project, the old BBRC compound and Camp Lapulapu are two (2) big tracts of land that have huge potentials.

Frustratingly, in our own little way of understanding this endless drama, these City Hall and Capitol occupants who have all the wealth and lives of affluence, are just seemingly faced with the insurmountable problem of filling in their insatiable lust for power. Setting aside bankable reasons, they tend to wield their influence to a wild extent just to project their selfish attempts at supremacy or eternal recognition.

To achieve their goals, the Capitol (and other political opponents) must make the first step at humility and service by halting their usual tirades and planned legal suites even if these are afforded to them. Likewise, the City Hall should reciprocate it by giving a go to the Capitol’s planned developments. To the Cebuanos, these are not just laudable acts- these are real giant steps to eternal recognition.

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