Dizon vs Rama P1.4 million buffet dinner questioned

CEBU, Philippines - What started to be a simple disagreement on principles between Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Alvin Dizon on the issue of giving relocation site to informal settlers who will be displaced in the city’s clearing operation of Mahiga creek has escalated into a full-blown conflict.

Dizon, who came from the ranks of the urban poor before becoming a councilor, criticized Rama for his statement that giving relocation site to the 3,000 informal settlers would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.

 “Mayor Rama is not inclined to provide relocation to informal settlers because it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money. But the mayor endorsed to spend a million budget for a P1.4 buffet dinner for the city’s charter day celebration,” Dizon said.

Dizon said that instead of spending public funds for dinner, the mayor should use it for worthy projects.

Rama has tasked Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson to sponsor a resolution allocating P5,411,945 for the city’s upcoming Charter Day wherein P1.4 million has been earmarked for buffet dinner at P1,000 per head. The city expects 1,200 guests in the dinner. On top of it they have also allocated P220,000 for the sound system and technical rider, which also covers stage design and production expenses.

“Why the city has to spend so much for a dinner? Instead, we should use public funds for worthy projects,” Dizon said.

Dizon explained that while he shares Rama’s stand on the urgency and necessity to remove the families living on the riverbanks and creeks but it should be done in compliance with the Republic Act 7279 otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act.

Dizon recalled that during the administration of Rep. Tomas Osmeña as mayor of the city there were about 900 urban poor families affected by demolitions but all of them have been relocated to Lahug, Budlaan and Pit-os.

“Why relocation is needed? As the workforce in the cities, the poor should be given the opportunity to stay in the cities. We should prioritize the development and improvement of in-city or near city relocation sites for the informal settlers,” Dizon said. —(BANAT NEWS)