La Trinidad mall gains folk's ire

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Members of a group opposing the construction of a mall in this town signed a petition to stop the project that was approved by government officials.

Led by Gerg Abalos, the group composed of leaders in the transport sector, stall owners, former government officials and indigenous peoples, said the construction of the mall is the biggest project in this town and nobody knows about it.

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Abalos, who stands as legal counsel for petitioners, said there is something wrong with the entry of Jarco Realty and Development Corporation in the market area at Kilometer 5.

The mall will stand three storeys high at a public market whose parking lot is now being used for vegetable trucks and jeepneys under a build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) agreement.

Abalos said there was no transparency or consultation conducted when the local council unanimously approved the contract last year. "There was a deliberate intention to hide the project from the people of La Trinidad."

Abalos is set to go to court this week to file an injunction, hoping to get a temporary restraining order to halt the project all together.

Mayor Artemio Galwan, however, said the project has been in the pipeline for two years and has complied with all legal requirements.

"Under the BOT Law there is no public consultation required," Galwan said.

But Abalos said the rental amount is disadvantageous to the Municipal Government, saying the P25 square meter rental is not enough.

"Presently, the areas is earning P1,614,837 from parking fees alone," Abalos said.

The mayor then said the BOT scheme is the best way for the municipality to develop the area.

"[There will be] no cash out [for the local government] in the project and we [will own] the structure after 30 years," Galwan explained.

He said initial works will ensue for the mall in 30 days.

Abalos, however, maintained the local government has failed to submit to the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee plans for the project. This, he said, is a requirement by law.