BOPK bares more type O streamers

CEBU, Philippines - As if taunting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan announced that more streamers are coming to be posted in private properties.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young told reporters last Monday that friends and supporters of himself and Rep. Tomas Osmeña will donate over 3,000 streamers and stickers all bearing “Type O.”

Young also announced that “Type O” is close to becoming the official logo of the BOPK.

The “O” in “Type O” means Osmeña, the founder of BOPK, and people who call themselves “Type O” are supporters of BOPK.

Rep. Osmeña said in earlier interviews that the idea was even coined by his opponents.

Young had said that a friend of Osmeña is willing to donate 3,000 Type O streamers while his friend will be providing 700 stickers.

To keep them away from the people of Rama, who recently ordered them removed in public places, Young said that they will hang the streamers and post the stickers in private properties.

Rama yesterday said there is no problem with BOPK’s plan to proliferate campaign materials, but only during the right time.

He said that the campaign period is still months away so the BOPK should not raise the political temperature this early.

“I would not begrudge if they will do it at the right time. Are they that desperate?” Rama said.

The mayor said putting the streamers in private properties so the city cannot remove them gives the same effect – dirtying the city.

Rama said that the streamers are eyesores, especially now that they have started to abound.

“Ganahan diay sila hugaw-hugawan ang city (Do they want the city to be dirty)? Is that the right thing for the right reason? They are violating their own rules. They need some pondering. Maayo ra gyud nga nihawa ko nila (It’s good that I left them),” Rama said.

Last Monday, he ordered the removal of all unauthorized streamers, including those bearing the image of Don Vicente Rama, which announced the year-round celebration of the city’s 75th Charter Day.

But he is yet to determine whether the posting of streamers in private properties is covered by the regulation under the city’s zoning ordinance.

Rama told barangay captains to help in regulating the illegal streamers. – /LPM (FREEMAN)