Rama won't return P2M of Province for Sinulog

CEBU - Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has no plan to return to the Cebu provincial government its P2 million donation to the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated.

Mayor on-leave Tomas Osmeña said the Sinulog Foundation may not anymore need that amount donated by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia because the City of Cebu has a surplus of more than P250 million at the end of 2008.

But it seems that Rama, the chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated, does not like to insult the governor by returning to her the donation that was intended to help defray some expenses for the holding of the Sinulog grand parade last Sunday.

Even if the city has provided the Sinulog Foundation with P10 million financial aid for the cash prizes and trophies for the winners and the cash assistance for the out of-town contingents, the foundation still lacks funds for other expenses.

It prompted the governor to donate P2 million to the foundation, but upon learning about it, Osmeña who is not in good terms with Garcia, said that the city can still provide with more funds for the Sinulog.

But Osmeña, who is still in Houston, Texas for treatment of the cancer of his urinary bladder, said it is up to the foundation if they want to return the donation or to keep it with them.

“Kalimtan na lang nato na. Gihatag man na ngadto sa foundation kay gusto sila nga motabang sa kalihukan sa kapistahan ni Santo Niño,” Rama said as he does not wish to create another misunderstanding with the provincial officials.

Some of the city officials also supported the stand of Rama, saying “nganong iuli pa man ang donasyon nga magamit na man kana sa mga gastohan sa foundation.”

The provincial officials have a pending appeal with the city to allow them to bid and to contest the unsolicited proposal of Filinvest Land Incorporated to enter a joint venture for the 50 hectare lot at the South Road Properties.

While the Joint Venture Selection Committee has already rejected the offer of Cebu province, but it is still pending with Rama for further action whether to approve the JVSC’s decision or not.

Osmeña is afraid that Rama might face a possible case that will be filed against him, maybe by the Filinvest Land Incorporated, if he will allow Cebu province to bid despite of the findings of the JVSC that it is not eligible to do so.

“Basta akong ipasalig nga kon unsa man ang akong desisyon kini makahatag og benipisyo sa kinabag-ang katawhan. Isip sakop sa Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan nagtan-aw usab ko sa baruganan sa grupo,” Rama said. — Rene U. Borromeo/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)