RADAZA’S 10-BILLION DREAM

Here is an article I wrote which was published in some Cebu newspapers almost two years ago when Radaza first announced he was proceeding with the Mactan Reclamation. This should give everyone an idea about the issues involved and why all Oponganons and Cebuanos must oppose it. In fact, as I predicted, there are already challenges to the project made by Governor Gwen Garcia and the MCIAA, as well as NEDA and other groups.


RADAZA’S 10-BILLION DREAM
By: Efrain T. Pelaez Jr.
President, Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Radaza does not seem to get it. Recently, he announced a P10 billion Mactan North reclamation project consisting of 400 hectares at the Magellan Bay foreshore area. The City Council hurriedly passed a resolution authorizing Radaza to negotiate in behalf of the city and approved the project. Someone in Malacanang must also be working overtime as liaison to ram through this project because a MOA was recently signed between the Philippine Reclamation Authority, Lapu-Lapu City and Malacanang. How else would a Mayor who is being charged with a number of criminal cases for scams involving lampposts and computers worth P200 million, be now entrusted with another P10 Billion project? Have we all gone crazy? Are we all blinded by the peso signs? Is the President properly advised about this project? Who are the promoters and influence peddlers chewing on this carrot that Radaza is dangling in front of them—perhaps to curry favor in the light of the many criminal cases filed against him?

To be sure, the existing reclamation projects of Cebu, Mandaue and the South Reclamation (SRP), still have to prove their worth and pay their way. The original reclamation from White Gold House to SM in the north and Plaza Independencia in the south has some of the most blighted squatter colonies in Metro Cebu area. The Mandaue reclamation of F.F. Cruz is still largely undeveloped, 20 years or so after it started. The same goes for the SRP, which has been a financial drain on Cebu City---despite its size and larger income base than Lapu-Lapu City.

Are the Lapu-Lapu City residents and taxpayers ready to trust Radaza with this megadeal?
Radaza cannot even fix, much less improve, the roads of Lapu-Lapu and clean up the garbage with his P600 million plus yearly budget---most of which goes to payroll for friends, allies and employees with dubious backgrounds and experience. We have complained about ghost payrolls to the Ombudsman for the Clean and Green program which amounts to millions of pesos per month. Despite the sums spent for all these sanitation concerns, the whole of Lapu-Lapu City remains dirty and is an environmental disaster. It is on huge dumpsite. There are many other complaints about overpriced purchases and projects gathering dust at the Ombudsman--- which are now being resurrected by advocates of clean government, much to the chagrin of Radaza and his boys. Yet, he has the gall to tell us he will embark on his dream mega billion reclamation project.

Let me inform him that long before he had that dream, other proponents like Johan Bhd. of Malaysia and myself already had proposed the 400 hectare reclamation project in the early 1990’s during the first term of Mayor Ernest Weigel. A copycat cannot claim authorship of the idea or the dream. Aside from the politics involved with the warring Osmeña brothers, Lito and Sonny, who had their own ideas about the project, and the intervening Asian economic crisis---most proponents have realized the impracticality of it all. Even the Cordova reclamation has undergone several promotional mutations without success. The only ones interested are those promoters who intend to make a quick buck and fat commissions from the deal. Radaza’s cronies who have a near monopoly on filling material and anopog are all salivating and wringing their hands in anticipation of a windfall. The truth is this is nothing but a big public relations balloon that will never fly because it is filled not only with hot air but a foul smell as well.

Realistically, Radaza cannot even get the reclamation started before his term ends in two years, nor will he ever see it finished. His time is also running out. Faced with additional suspensions from the lamppost, computer and other cases---that time may be sooner than you think. The environmental studies, court challenges, conflict with the airport runway extension, funding issues, opposition from business groups, and other negative considerations--- will also surely delay the implementation. Governor Gwen Garcia has already publicly opposed the deal. Even if private developers and funding can be found, will this not become another Amari deal that never got off the ground despite the scandal-plagued backing of two presidents, where billions were allegedly paid in kickbacks? Moreover, what assurance can a Mayor in his last term who is similarly plagued, offer to legitimate proponents?

I suggest the Mayor wake up from his somnolence and stop dreaming about mega projects and face the reality of the nightmare ahead by attending to his defense in the Sandiganbayan, and his response to the charges in the Ombudsman to prove to one and all he is innocent. If he has no sin, I will be the first one to apologize to him and parade him through town on my shoulders like the Birhen de Regla that he worships.