Rama to Council: Don’t tell me where trucks will go

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama doesn’t want to be dictated.

This was why he returned to the City Council a resolution which specifies that 13 barangays in the city be prioritized in the purchase of new garbage trucks.

“Please clarify as to which office these items be charged. Further, AIP CY 2015 is already approved, thus new resolution is hereby recommended. This office also interposes objection to the second resolving clause as this will affect the city mayor’s prerogative,” read Rama’s letter to the City Council dated January 12.

During their regular session in November last year, the City Council approved a resolution by Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. to include in the city’s Annual Investment Plan for 2015 the purchase of 80 units of dump trucks or garbage trucks at P1.32 million each for the city’s eight barangays.

It further specified that barangays Cambinocot, Paril, Cogon Ramos, Day-as, Guadalupe, Inayawan, Pahina Central, Kinasang-an, Mabolo, Pahina San Nicolas, Pasil, T. Padilla and Talamban.

But in the executive’s proposed AIP 2015, only P80 million has been appropriated for the purchase of dump trucks or garbage trucks for the barangays which means each should cost only P1 million.

During yesterday’s regular session, the City Council said the mayor’s approval and signature is not needed in this kind of resolution.

“This resolution is approved. Only resolutions and ordinances on local development plans, public expenditures, (and etc.) need the mayor’s approval. There’s no need for the mayor to sign this,” said Councilor Gerry Carillo who is also a lawyer.

This was also echoed by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

For his part, Gabuya said it’s important for City Hall to address the issue of garbage especially since the city has already implemented the total closure of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, also a lawyer, said the resolution is considered effective in all intents and purposes.

Since Jan. 15, the closure of the landfill, the barangays especially in the south district will have to directly dump their  garbage to the landfill in Consolacion.