Rama wants to pursue Fuente rehab

CEBU, Philippines - After being delayed due to ownership concerns between the Cebu Provincial Government and the Cebu City Government, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants to revive the planned rehabilitation of the historic Fuente Osmeña fountain.

“If I have my way, I will proceed and do it having to be a key historic marker,” Rama told reporters.

Fuente Osmeña circle celebrated its 101st anniversary earlier this month from its simultaneous inauguration with the Buhisan Dam, whose marker was launched this month led by Rama.

Water from the dam was originally used at the fountain but this was stopped as the years passed.

Before the ownership woes came, businessman Michel Lhuillier expressed intention to fund the project.

“I talked with Michel Lhuillier about it. Kinahanglan na lingkuran with acting governor Agnes Magpale kung gusto ba sila nga madayon,” Rama said.

He further suggested that the meeting should have both the Province and the City lawyers present to discuss legal matters as well as have the Lhuilliers around.

“With them (lawyers) around, we can place ourselves and that we can do something concrete,” Rama added.

The mayor wanted the matter solved soonest so as not to leave the significant historical site “in bad shape.”

Currently, the Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds Commission maintains the landscape of Fuente Osmeña circle while the Lhuilliers provide for security personnel, commission chairman and consultant Dr. Librado Macaraya said.

Rama feared that this matter might be affected by politics with the elections approaching.

The city mayor is affiliated with United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) while acting governor Magpale is with the Liberal Party (LP). —/JPM (FREEMAN)