No permit for batching plant, but not a problem

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama cannot recall agreeing to a private contractor’s plan to put up a cement batching plant at the city-owned block 27 lot at the North Reclamation Area.

But the mayor sees no problem with the plant to continue operating until the road concreting project along S. Osmeña Road is done.

“I can’t remember agreeing (to the plan). But there were discussions about that,” he told reporters yesterday.

Since April last year, WT Construction Inc. (WTCI) has been operating the batching plant at the block 27 in the North Reclamation Area.

WTCI is undertaking the road concreting project of the S. Osmeña road which is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7.

In an executive session last Wednesday, the council expressed their reservations with the setup of the operation of the plant since the contractor is not paying any fees to the city.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, who called for the session, said it is disadvantageous to the city while councilor Alvin Dizon said city officials should be proper custodians of the city’s properties.

No formal agreement or contract was undertaken for the plant’s operation and the plan did not reach the council.

Sought for comment, Rama said he does not need to be the one informing the city council about the plan.

“I wish it didn’t have to be discussed. WT should be the one to inform (the council). It’s a national road and it’s a national agency’s project. Let the DPWH inform them,” he said.  He added that he has no problem with the plant’s continued operation since it’s only temporary and would be removed after the project is completed. In earlier letters by the DPWH and WTCI addressed to the mayor, they said the putting up of the plant is important for the major road project.