Mike admits putting off OK’d projects

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday admitted that there are millions of pesos worth of projects that were supposed to be implemented under his administration that he chose not to prioritize even if these were already approved by the City Council.

Rama said he prioritized other projects like the purchase of a P1-million mini-bus for Barangay Mambaling not because Barangay Captain Rodolfo Estela is one of his supporters, but because he observed that the barangay really needs the vehicle for its constituents.

The purchase of the mini-bus for Barangay Mambaling was only approved by the City Council last July, but this was prioritized ahead of other projects chargeable to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. fund.

Cebu City acting accountant Diwa Cuevas certified that as of Sept. 30, 2012 the Pagcor funds available balance for prioritization is P26.9 million, but there are still several requests for funding that will be charged against Pagcor funds.

Cebu City is receiving P3 million every month from Pagcor as its share for allowing the operation of Casino Filipino in the city.

Since June this year, the other projects that were prioritized by Rama for charging against the Pagcor funds are the purchase of an ambulance for Barangay Labangon, a vehicle for Barangay Apas, a patrol car and a motorcycle for Barangay Sirao, mini-garbage trucks for Barangays Tabunan and San Jose, a mini-garbage truck for Agsungot and a brand-new vehicle for Barangay Sawang Calero.

But some P11.6 million-worth of various projects that were also signed and approved by the mayor last year for charging against the Pagcor funds were not prioritized when these were passed by the City Council.

Some of the projects not prioritized by Rama, includes the mini-bus for Barangay Cogon-Pardo, an ambulance for Barangay Paril, a pick-up vehicle and a motorcycle for the City Hall’s Barangay Affairs Unit, patrol vehicles for Barangays Kalubihan and Hipodromo and service vehicles for barangays Babag, Taptap and Quiot.

Other projects that were not prioritized by the mayor are the purchase of office equipment, communication, generators, monobloc chairs, computers, LCD projectors and equipment for the tanods and the different barangays.

Some persons were surprised why the projects were not prioritized by the mayor for funding when in fact he already approved them before the concerned councilors asked the City Council’s approval for charging it to Pagcor.

“Ingon ana man g’yud na kay kon aprobahan na lang ang tanan dili paigo ang atong kwarta,” Rama told The FREEMAN yesterday.

City Treasurer Emma Villarete explained that after the City Council approved the request for charging the amount of the project against the Pagcor funds the documents will again be forwarded to the mayor for his final approval.

Meanwhile, Rama yesterday questioned the City Council’s delay in approving the P500,000 budget for the Pasko sa V. Rama saying that it is not intended to boost his political interest, but rather a tradition that has been practiced by the city since 1995.  –/BRP (FREEMAN)