Rama: City will deal with wall dispute
This wall in I.T. Park was formerly BBRC .(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The perimeter wall on Geonzon Street in barangay Apas, Cebu IT Park in Cebu City will have to go, if Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama had his way.
He said the Provincial Board (PB) resolution asking Cebu City Hall to defer action on it because of ongoing efforts of Capitol officials to reach a settlement with two rival developers was not enough to convince the city government to change its official legal opinion.
“They (PB) can’t do that to the city. We have our responsibility. All of that is our responsibility because the street is located in the city,” Rama told reporters.
Last Monday, the PB approved a resolution sponsored by PB Member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez asking the city government to defer its plan to demolish the wall in Apas owned by Cebu Property Ventures and
Development Corp. (CPVDC) which operates the I.T. Park.
She said any action by the city may jeopardize the province’s ongoing negotiations with Filinvest Land Inc and CPVDC.
“Governor Davide is in constant contact with me. I understand what is his stand (on the issue) but the city also has its own position,” Rama said.
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The mayor said copies of the City Legal Office opinion were already sent out to Filinvest and CPVDC. Rama said he was still waiting for their response.
Last week, the City Legal Office issued a legal opinion saying that W. Geonzon Street in barangay Apas should be opened to everyone.
Asked yesterday who would initiate the demolition of the wall, Rama answered “nganong kinahanglan pa nga kita ang moguba ug dili na angay gub-on? Ug gub-on man gani, kahibaw na sila kinsa ang moguba ana (Why is it needed for us to demolish and shouldn’t it be demolished? If it should be demolished, they know who will demolish it).”
Sanchez earlier said the province is nearing an agreement between Filinvest and CPVDC with the “end goal of tearing down the perimeter wall peacefully and to open access to the Cebu Cyberzone from the Cebu I.T Park.”
She said Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III has been in constant talks with Filinvest official Allan Alfon and CPVDC president Francis Monera to seal a “mutually beneficial agreement” between Filinvest and CPVDC.
Part of the I.T. Park is separated by the wall from an adjoining lot of Filinvest which is building its Cebu Cyberzone, a BPO complex in joint venture with the Province. The Province also remains one of the stakeholders of the Ayala-owned I.T. Park. /With Reporter Peter L. Romanillos
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