Mayor: Harmony over conflict
CEBU CITY (April 16, 2024) – Mayor Mike Rama and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista will meet on Friday to discuss and resolve issues surrounding Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) and Cebu Port Authority (CPA).
The meeting comes on the side as the city hosts a gathering of PDP-Laban national leaders this weekend. Rama is the party’s vice president for the Visayas.
“The CPA will be there” in the meeting, Rama said during Ingna’ng Mayor over Sugboanon Channel this morning.
He said the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) called him today “to confirm that he is coming, and the discussion will be BRT and CPA.”
The Mayor said his intent is to resolve once and for all issues that involve two entities under DOTr in the city. “I want this whole thing resolved, because there are matters to be resolved,” he said.
Rama underscored he wants all issues to end well. “I have never been a negative player. I’m a positive thinker,” he pointed out.
Heritage
He emphasized the CPA matter is more about protecting heritage that its port expansion project will affect, including the supposed Plaza sa Katawhan where people now flock every night to enjoy the sea breeze and its sights from Malacañang sa Sugbo for the former CCLEX jetty port.
“CPA issue, heritage baya na. Ato baya ni. Ato ni, bai. Ato ni, apil gani ang governor, apil ka Gob (Gwendolyn Garcia), ato ni, kay naa man ta sa One Cebu Island,” he said.
“Tinabangay ta. Dili ta mag-loggerheads,” he added.
Mayor Rama said he does not want conflict to prevail over harmony.
“I’m not an obstructionist. I love my country. I love my city. I fight for One Cebu Island,” he explained.
He added: “Gov. Gwen does not have to think of me as her enemy, unless she looks at me as her enemy. She is not my enemy.”
He described the lady governor more of “in the interim an adversary” over some issues, including BRT, CPA, and the Metropolitan Cebu Water District.
“Friendship will continue, family ties eternal. When politics is over, politics will pass. I know my parameters,” he pointed out. | PPRMN /cte
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