Consider paying project, Rama asked

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council is asking Mayor Michael Rama to study the possibility of reimbursing the money spent for the lighting project in Barangay Labangon whose initial structure Rama ordered removed last Tuesday.

In a letter to the council committee on laws, Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia said the project at the junction of Salvador and Katipunan streets was 40 percent complete when Rama ordered the initial structure, a road sepa-rator or center island, removed.

Buendia asked the city reimburse the initial cost of construction worth P300,000.

The council has referred Buendia’s letter-complaint to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) so the agency can study the project in the event of a reimbursement.

DPWH actually said the project violates the Philippine Highway Act, but Vice Mayor Edgar Labella said the agency still has knowledge of the supposed project cost and may be able to render an opinion.

Considering that the project was funded by the barangay, Councilor Gerardo Carillo said Rama must study the possibility of a reimbursement.

Councilor Hans Abella further suggested that the Council look into the case filed by Barangay Labangon officials against Rama and the city government.

Buendia has asked the court to order the city government to let the barangay push through with the construction, saying Rama has withheld the funds for the project.

Buendia asked for a temporary restraining order, supposedly to stop Rama’s demolition directive, but the court denied the request because the demolition has been completed.

“Wala nay TRO or injunction to stick on kay ang structure was already removed or demolished so you have nothing to restrain technically,” Cebu City legal officer Jerone Castillo told The FREEMAN.

Rama, in a separate interview yesterday, said he will direct his staff to look into the council’s request although personally, he said he is not keen on reimbursing the cost.

The mayor has said earlier that there is no payment to talk about especially when it is the safety of the motorists that is concerned. DPWH also said earlier that the project poses a danger to motorists. — (FREEMAN)