Davide confirms meeting with Rama

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has confirmed meeting with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama before they both assumed office last June 30.

Davide said that they have yet to discuss the fate of the occupants of the province-owned lots previously covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1.

He said that they just talked about their past in the Cebu City government when Davide was a councilor and Rama was vice mayor.

Rama and Davide used to be allies in Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK) but in the recent May 13 elections, Rama and Davide ran under opposing political parties.

Rama is with the United Nationalist Alliance-Team Rama while Davide is with Liberal Party-Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK).

 â€œWe can always unite for the good of Cebu,” Davide told reporters.

Davide said he has to set another meeting with Rama, saying that he is pre-occupied by a lot of work in his first week in office.

Rama earlier planned to meet with Davide once the latter assumes office so they can discuss the fate of the families living in the province-owned lots situated in 11 barangays of Cebu City.

Rama assured that he will try his best to help the urban poor families who are complaining because while Capitol officials finally allowed the occupants of the province-owned lots to purchase their respective lots, the cost is too high amounting up to P15,000 for every square meter.

The province-owned lots that are occupied by the urban poor families are situated in Barangays Kalunasan, Kamputhaw, Busay, Lahug, Capitol Site, Barrio Luz, Mabolo, Apas, Kasambagan, Tejero and Lorega. —Gregg M. Rubio/JPM

Rama already allocated P100 million for any project intended for the beneficiaries of the Provincial Ordinance 93-1 that previously allowed the occupants of the province-owned lots to purchase the lot through staggered payment in 10 years.

The 10-year period have expired and still many of the families living in the province-owned lots failed to fully pay their financial obligations.

Records show that of the 5,000 original settlers of the province-owned lots, only about 2,000 of them settled their obligations.—(FREEMAN)