CH housing project to include journalists

CEBU, Philippines — Members of the local media will be among the beneficiaries of the massive housing project the Cebu City government intends to build as it moves forward to achieving Mayor Michael Rama’s Singapore-like goal for the city.

Rama instructed his staff to include as housing beneficiaries the members of local media upon learning that some of reporters do not have a house of their own.

“Maayo kaayo ni sila manulti, mosuwat. Inig pangutana nato, naa moy inyong kaugalingong balay? Naa moy inyong kaugalingong yuta? Wala…di na mao akong gusto,” Rama said.

In his vision for Cebu City to be like Singapore, Rama said no one should be left behind.

“Ayaw kalimti ni sila, tagaan sad ni sila nato’g housing project,” Rama told his workforce who were present during the press conference at his office yesterday.

“I made a vow nga saka gyud tanan taw…And no one should be left behind…bahala’g ako na lay mahabilin…For me that is the essence of service…We should act as one,” Rama said.

Atty. Collin Rosell, Mayor’s Executive Secretary, immediately asked reporters covering City Hall to submit themselves for assessment.

“Awhag nako sa tanang mga media practitioners, especially kaning nag sige na’g tuyok-tuyok sa mga beats, walay klaro kung naa na ba ni silay mga balay...Mag pa-profile ta para ma endorse na siya aron maklaro kung pilay ma avail nato nga finances gikan sa atong agencies,” Rosell said.

Rossel said this is an opportunity that should not be missed, especially for those living within or near the three-meter easement that are due for relocation.

“Opportunidad na ni…Dili ni pagpasalig kon dili magtinabangay ta kay klaro naman naa tay kahigayunan…Ug panahon na gyud,” he said.

Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) President Arnold Bustamante of dyHP-RMN Cebu, welcomed Rama’s announcement.

“Gikalipay sa Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists ang pamahayag ni Mayor Michael Rama kay sukad pa kaniadto mao na kini ang damgo sa mga tigbalita sa Sugbo nga makaangkon og kaugalingong balay,” Bustamante said.

He admitted that the sad reality is that most of the reporters are not qualified for a housing loan from Pag-IBIG.

“…sa tinuod lang dili mi qualified mo apply sa housing loan sa Pag-ibig kay ubos mi’g sweldo, pero kining pamahayag ni Mayor Mike dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa Cebu Media,” he added.  (FREEMAN)