North recla to be integrated into Carreta, Tejero, Mabolo

Cebu City councilor Augustus Pe plans to integrate portions of the 160-hectare North Reclamation Area that are within city jurisdiction with barangays Carreta, Tejero and Mabolo, this after 18 years that the area was declared "non-barangay".

The matter was first proposed and filed during the 9th council by former councilors Danilo Fernan and Carmelita Piramide seeking the integration of the area to adjacent barangays.

But the proposal was reportedly not approved by the council that was dominated by Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan. Both Fernan and Piramide belonged to the opposition party, the Kugi Uswag Sugbo.

Pe said he received several complaints from officials of the three barangays that they were blamed by residents in the reclamation area for the latter's not being able to enjoy services offered by the barangay.

"We need to act on this problem," Pe said, adding that even if residents live in the area declared "non-barangay", still they are registered voters in Cebu City particularly in barangays Carreta, Mabolo and Tejero, so that they also deserve to avail of barangay services.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said that barangays will earn more revenue through real estate tax as a result of the move. For example, the mayor said, the SM City mall will become part of barangay Mabolo, while White Gold House will be part of Carreta. - Garry B. Lao