Rama: P2 billion budget for relocation feasible with city council's help

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that the P2 billion budget needed for the relocation sites of the families living within the danger zones hinges on the support of the members of the Cebu City Council.

Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP) chief Collin Rossel suggested to include the amount for acquisition of relocation sites in the 2013 annual budget of the city.

Rama said the amount can be easily raised by the city government should the city council cooperate with him. The P2 billion proposed budget will be used to purchase relocation sites for the 30,000 families living within the danger zones.

Although the mayor did not elaborate how the City Council can help him secure the needed amount, but in his earlier interviews he said that the members of the council should not prevent him from selling lots at the South Road Properties.

Last month the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK)-dominated council approved an ordinance that prohibits anybody, including the mayor, from selling lots at the SRP without the concurrence of the city council.

Rama said it is also the duty and responsibility of the members of the council to relocate the families living along the rivers, sidewalks and under the bridge.

Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) provides for a relocation to families whose houses are affected by demolition.

The mayor has scheduled a meeting with the department heads on September 31 to discuss about the issue proposed budget for acquisition of relocation sites.

The law provides that the local chief executive should submit to the council the proposed annual budget for the coming year not later than October 20.

The Freeman asked Rama how much is his proposed budget for 2013, but the mayor said he could not give the amount yet until his meeting with the department heads.

The annual budget is to be prepared by the Budget Committee composed of the city treasurer, budget officer and head of the City Planning and Development Office.

Rama earlier proposed a P10.8 billion budget for Cebu City this year, but the city council slashed it to P5.3 billion. As of last month, the city’s revenue collections was only a little over P3 billion. (FREEMAN)