Rama wants Osmeña Shrine turned into P10M park

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama is proposing P10 million under the 2012 Annual Budget for the construction of a park in the seven-hectare Osmeña Shrine in the hills of barangay Kalunasan to comply with the conditions set by the Provincial Government when they donated the lot to the city in 1965.

The item appears as for the maintenance and improvement of the shrine in the proposed P11-billion annual budget for 2012.

Rama said the area was supposedly for public purpose so he will make it a park that will connect to the Cebu City Zoo.

He said this is in response to public demand for open spaces and parks in the city.

He refused to give details as to what improvements will be done in the area.

The property was set aside in the past, in honor of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr.

The area now appears as woodland with some 4.2 hectares supposedly donated by the city to the Evangelical Christian Coalition of Cebu Inc. who wants to convert it into a multi-faith cemetery.

When asked what will happen to the planned cemetery of the ECCCI, which was strongly opposed by the residents, Rama said he does not want to discuss yet the legality of the issue.

The donation of four hectares of lot at the Osmeña Shrine by then Mayor Tomas Osmeña is being questioned.

Meanwhile, Rama also proposed some P105 million for the creation of various master plans for the South Road Properties, P10 million; Traffic Management, P10 million; Coastline Management Board, P10 million; Downtown, P10 million; Upland, P10 million; Drainage Maintenance and flood control, P25 million; and various other projects, P30 million.

Rama said the P25-million for drainage and flood control shall be used to update the drainage master plan and the budget for the group that has started brainstorming on how the city will be able to solve the flooding problems.

At least P270 million is proposed for various infrastructure projects at the South Road Properties, mostly are for offices of city hall departments.

Some P30 million is also proposed for the new building of the City Abattoir and P30 million for the rehabilitation of the city’s sidewalks. (FREEMAN)