In a letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) dated June 15, 2023, the local chief executive returned the unsigned measure as he wants an amendment to Section 7 of City Ordinance 2690, or “An Ordinance Designating the Downtown Area of the City of Cebu as a Heritage District and Creating Heritage District Council,” which was authored by Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.
Section 7 states that the HDC “shall be headed by City Mayor/City Vice Mayor. There shall be two vice-chairs: the Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Culture, and Arts of the Sanggunian, and a private-sector representative to be appointed by the City Mayor.”
Rama suggested that Section 7 “be amended and read as follows: ‘The Council shall be headed by the City Mayor or his authorized representative,’ in order to respect the prerogatives of the Chief Executive.”
Garcia said in an interview with SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, July 26, that the SP agreed with Rama’s suggestion, and they have no issue with the mayor’s veto.
“Everything is okay,” he said.
The ordinance, passed on May 24, 2023, aims to conserve and protect the cultural heritage of Cebu City’s downtown area where old buildings dating as far back as the Spanish colonial period are still standing.
Rama’s letter to the SP states that the mayor should be granted “wide latitude of choice and discretion” in appointing an authorized representative who is fit and qualified for the position.
The proposed heritage district covers the intersection of V. Rama Avenue and N. Bacalso Avenue, proceeding to P. Del Rosario Street, then to Imus Street, and to the intersection of General Maxilom Avenue and Tejero Creek until the Cebu Port Authority in Pier 6.
From Pier 6, it will continue toward the shorelines of Barangay Sto. Niño and Quezon Boulevard.
It will also cover Abellana Street and the intersections of Gen. Gines Street, R. Magsaysay Street, and JM Basa Street, before returning to the starting point of V. Rama-N. Bacalso intersection. (RJM)