Provincial Board inaction 'delays Capitol projects'

PROVINCIAL administrator Enrique Pinongan said Friday that major projects of the Provincial Government will be affected by the inaction of the Provincial Board.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. requested for a resolution authorizing him to negotiate with the Land Bank of the Philippines for the release of P240 million from the Capitol’s standby loan.

Marañon requested such authority from the Provincial Board on the first week of July but the request has not been acted upon. Members of the board are reportedly asking for more details and explanations on some items included in the proposed loan package.

The governor is seeking a P170-million loan for phase two of the Negros First Cyber Center at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City, while the second phase includes the power house and the parking lot for the Cyber Park.

Capitol has already allocated P450 million last year for the implementation of the first phase, which is already going full blast.

The governor is also seeking P50-million loan for the construction of a three-storey Provincial Administration Center Annex Building and P10 million for additional classrooms at the said building, which Capitol is constructing for the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS).

Pinongan said he hopes the members of the Provincial Board will consider the impact to Negrenses of the delay on the projects.

He refused to comment on the supposition that the governor’s request was not acted upon by the Provincial Board because of the recent political developments in the province.

The looming fight for the gubernatorial post between Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez is reportedly one of the reasons behind the Provincial Board’s inaction on the supplemental budget.

Previous requests of the governor were traditionally immediately approved by the Board.

Members of the Provincial Board are reportedly divided between Marañon and Alvarez. In fact, last July 11, the Board failed to reach a quorum in its regular meeting as the vice governor and eight of its members were absent. (Teresa D. Ellera)