Between City and CPA Rama stands by status quo

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is standing by the status quo agreement in the dispute with Cebu Port Authority (CPA) following the meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista.

In an online interview yesterday with the Sugboanon Channel, a social media channel handled by the Cebu City Information Office, Rama talked about the visit of Bautista who was in Cebu City last Friday.

Previously, Rama said that he will be sitting down with Bautista to talk about the issues hounding the Cebu Business Rapid Transit and the CPA.

Rama said he presented the status quo situation regarding CPA.

“The status quo (means that) they do not have any authority that is why they have to stop and I do not want to be clearing it,” he said.

“With the City of Cebu, we will continue to perform what belongs to the city and that includes our exercise of governmental function,” he added.

Rama said that Cebu City has 27 departments that are part of the implementation of what “belongs” to the city. This includes acquiring of business permits, arrears, among others.

“We don't know how much arrears, they have not been paying since the time that matter was brought,” said Rama.

With this, Rama said that he will respect the status quo agreement with Bautista on the activities and projects of CPA at the Aduana Wharf, but requires the agency to comply with the necessary permits.

“Basta dili mi mangaway, but we will exercise all of the attributes of being a local government unit anchored upon by Republic Act 7160,” Rama said.

It was reported that Bautista and Rama had initially agreed to work together with any developments around Compania Maritima.

CPA has exerted ownership over the building following a court order, but Cebu City is fighting for the said ruin’s preservation, being part of the City’s heritage.

Bautista also initially agreed to the preservation of the said structure and even supported the development of the Plaza sa Katawhan located at the baywalk area fronting the Compania Maritima.

Rama also plans to take action if CPA refuses to secure permits for its wharf project at the Aduana.

Aside from the wharf project, Rama also said that he will continue to call on CPA to reopen ML Quezon Boulevard, a public road, which was allegedly closed and being privatized. — (FREEMAN)