Tomas to get back his job (South Road Properties)

CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will assume full power as mayor when he comes home for a three-week vacation on March 8.

Osmeña, 60, has been on medical leave since October last year for medical treatment.

Osmeña will have a busy schedule when he arrives, with several meetings and consultations with city councilors, barangay officials, City Hall department heads, police officials and the different commissions of the City Government.

City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said yesterday that the mayor will stay in Cebu for at least two weeks. He will then fly back to Houston, Texas for further treatment of his urinary bladder cancer.



“I will assume as mayor. I will need to use my staff and office facilities. I will also be hosting several activities and consultations. Department heads, councilors, barangay officials, police, commissions, etcetera, they will officially report to
me,” he said in a text message sent from the Bahamas, when asked if he would still be on sick leave while in Cebu.

Osmeña, 60, has just finished his chemotherapy to help cure his stage three urinary bladder cancer. He will have a three-week break from treatment before he proceeds with the surgery to remove his bladder.

After his chemotherapy, he decided to go on a cruise in the Bahamas with Margot and son Miguel.

The Osmeñas are expected to arrive on March 8, City Information Officer Nagiel Bañacia said.

Bañacia said that among the activities the mayor is expected to attend is the awarding ceremony for the top 75 business and real estate tax payers of the City on March 15.

He is also scheduled to meet with Environment Secretary Lito Atienza on March 12 to discuss matters involving the South Road Properties (SRP).

But in a phone interview last night, City Treasurer Rene Empaces said the awarding of the top taxpayers is still a proposal of her office, and will need the approval of the Cebu City Council and the Office of the Mayor.

The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) has a list of the top 75 taxpayers, but Empaces said it will not be released until it is approved.

“We are fine-tuning the list but we cannot provide the details yet because the proposed activity has not even been approved by the Council. It’s still a proposal, as part of our activities and it will only become official once the council approves it,” Empaces said.