Rama assails DPWH review on FLI project

CEBU, Philippines – Suspended mayor Michael Rama has questioned the motive and timing of the Department of Public Works and Highways – District Office in saying that the development at I1 Corso, a project of Filinvest Land, Inc. at the South Road Properties, violated the setback requirement of the National Building Code.

Rama said it appears that the DPWH- Cebu City Engineering Office “made up an issue”, considering that the 10-hectare development has already been completed.

“I am making a statement because I can’t understand why only now? What if people will question why skywalks (were) built on a sidewalk? Let them answer it. DPWH, please, put your money where your mouth is,” Rama said yesterday.

“That’s why I said why are they making an issue when all of these constructions (are already finished), why only now?” he added.

According to FLI, Il Corso is part of the master plan for City di Mare, which is a township that includes the 40-hectare property that FLI is developing through a joint venture agreement with the city government.

It is located across the Cebu South Road from Il Corso.

Meanwhile, FLI stood firm that the development of Il Corso was undertaken based on plans approved by the Office of the Building Official (OBO).

“We trust that our contractor has built Il Corso according to the plans approved by OBO,” said Engr. Allan Go Alfon, FLI’s Vice President and Area General Manager, in a statement.

“Nonetheless, we will have this verified and checked together with DPWH and OBO so that we will be coordinated,” Alfon said. —/JMO (FREEMAN)