EDITORIAL - Serious consequences

Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo has denied allegation that the city council has anything to do with the delay in the approval of the Japanese retirement facility, proposed to rise at the South Road Properties.

The head of the ad hoc committee looking into the proposal, Carillo thinks misunderstandings over the terms and conditions may have caused the delay of the P1.4 billion project.

Carillo may have a point. There seems to be some issues surrounding the proposal that need to be ironed out. The council, for him, is just seeing to it that everything should be favorable to the city government.

Whatever those issues, however, the delay in the project's approval could only create an impression that the business climate in Cebu City is beginning to be unfavorable. And it would obviously be the council's fault.   

Look, it has been four months since the proposal was brought up by the Japanese investors. But it has yet to hurdle first base as it remains stuck under the scrutinizing eyes of the council. 

While seemingly eager to break ground the soonest possible time, the project's proponents may have to wait for some time as the city legislators are still flipping through the pages of their proposal.

A delay in the approval could only have serious consequences. It could trigger the perception that it is no longer easy to do business in a city with a council that is becoming more hostile.

Moreover, it could make prospective investors sidestep Cebu City and relocate to neighboring areas where the business environment is more favorable. Today, Lapu-Lapu City has been busy promoting itself as a haven for retirees. Pretty soon, Mandaue City will follow suit.

For Cebu City councilors, there seems to be no need to hurry the approval of the project. But what they failed to realize is that the delay is taking a toll on the city's reputation.