Rama keeps hands off Ciudad clearance

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said that he gave the City Planning and Development Office the discretion whether or not to grant locational clearance for the construction of the P1.2-billion Ciudad project.

“Let them do what they are supposed to do without asking permission from me,” the mayor told reporters yesterday.

Rama said he will not stop City Planning and Development Officer Alipio Bacalso if he will grant the requested locational clearance to Fifth Avenue Development Corp., the developer of the project, but on condition that all the requirements are being complied.

In a previous interview, Bacalso was hesitant to give the media any update about the locational clearance application for the Ciudad project because it is a very controversial issue.

Cebu City South district Rep. Tomas Osmeña threatened to sue Rama and the other city officials if they insist on granting the locational clearance to the contractor of Ciudad Project.

The Ciudad Project is a joint venture by the province of Cebu and the Fifth Avenue Development Corp., at least five commercial buildings are to be built at the province-owned lot in Barangay Apas, beside Gov. Mariano Cuenco Ave.

The City Legal Office claimed that although the said lot was acquired by the Province of Cebu through the Friar Lands Act, it can still be used for commercial purpose, contrary to the opinion of the city council.

Legal officers Carlo Vincent Gimena, Ferdinand Cañete and June Maratas argued that the Friar Lands Act itself did not state that the properties acquired under that law cannot be used for commercial purposes.  (FREEMAN)