Mayor Tomas Osmeña believes that the move of City Hall and Capitol officials to revive his good relations with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for both leaders to pursue the botched land swap deal between the city and the province is a mere “publicity stunt”.
This is because, Osmeña said, there is no need for him and Garcia to even talk as they were not the ones who started the rift in the first place.
“Where do I fit in in all of this? I’m beginning to think this is a publicity stunt...no discussion is necessary between the governor and me,” Osmeña said.
Relations between the city and the province went sour after Vice Mayor Michael Rama offended the provincial board by saying the land swap deal will only benefit the provincial government, as it will solve the latter’s problem in collecting amortization dues from lot occupants who have not been able or who have no intention to pay.
The provincial government owns parcels of land in several areas in Cebu City with a total salable area of 435,991.93 square meters, which it wanted to dispose to its occupants by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 93-01. These lots are located in barangays Apas, Luz, Busay, Camputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Lahug, Lorega, Mabolo, and Tejero.
But because many city residents are occupying these province-owned lots, the city negotiated to swap 26 adjoining parcels of land located at the North Reclamation Area with a land area of 435,991.93 square meters and with remaining purchase payment collectibles.
Last week, months after the deal was halted, province officials visited the city council in the latter’s regular session to discuss a proposed city ordinance to reclassify the province-owned lots into socialized housing sites.
During the discussion, officials from both LGUs agreed the deal was not dead and board member Juan Bolo even asked the help of city councilors, especially those close to Osmeña and Garcia, to persuade both leaders to pursue the negotiations.
Bolo said that if the land swap pushes through, there will be no need to reclassify the lots.
But the mayor said that if the city council and provincial board want to revive the deal, all the legislators have to do is give him and Garcia the authority to sign the deal.
“It’s pure and simple grandstanding. I don’t need to discuss with the governor...just give her the authority to sign,” Osmeña said.
Rama, who presided the council session last week, agreed with the sentiment of the board member, saying “the table is still open.”
Rama earlier apologized to both the governor and the provincial board but the apology did not deter the provincial board to draft a resolution urging Garcia to shelf the deal. Capitol said they are still willing to negotiate with the city but this time, demanded for a “value-for-value” deal.
This angered Osmeña who ordered to impose a moratorium on development of areas in the city where there are Capitol-owned lots. This resulted to a word war between the mayor and the governor. — Joeberth M. Ocao/BRP