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Tuesday, March 28, 2006
City exec: Nothing wrong with gov't center site
MORALISTS, students, and residents of Barangay Taculing in Bacolod City need not worry about the proposed construction of a new government center near a motel, as City Administrator Lorendo Dilag stressed Tuesday that there's nothing wrong with it.
He further said that it is not illegal to construct a government center beside a motel.
Dilag's statement was in reaction to the mushrooming talks that the city has chosen a site unfit for a government center as this is just situated a few meters away from the controversial Taculing Court.
"What's wrong with it? " asked Dilag when pressed by City hall reporters for his comment on the issue.
"I think we should look at it passionately. If the City officials approved the construction of the motel in Taculing why not the government center?" he added.
Motel is a legal business, which is why there is nothing wrong when the government center is located near it, Dilag said.
He disclosed that education officials from 54 elementary schools in the city have expressed their support and endorsed the project to be built in Taculing.
As to the fear that this government center would be used as meeting place by students considering that it is to be erected beside the Bacolod City National High School, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, "it's a people's place and therefore, it should always be accessible to all."
Leonardia added that in case the construction of the government center would be realized, "I am pretty sure that it will eventually boost the facilities of the Bacolod City National High School."
Council's approval vital
But Dilag said they still need final approval of the City Council for the project to be realized, especially on the budget allocation.
The city is eyeing to apply for a loan at the Land Bank of the Philippines.
Dilag, however, cannot ascertain yet the budget for the construction of the new government center.
He disclosed that Leonardia would send a letter of endorsement for loan application to the council this coming Thursday to hasten the construction of the building.
"Its up to the council to approve it or not. But I don't think so that they will not approve the loan proposal. It is because they've already passed Resolution No.96 declaring the inadequacy of government facilities and offices for the present set-up," Dilag said, adding that he believes on the integrity of the council.
In case the City Council approves the loan, Dilag assures that in two months time the city could immediately publish the project in the Internet or local dailies in Bacolod for final evaluation.
By June or July, he said, the city could proceed to the bidding of the project for the possible contractor. And by August, the city could hold the groundbreaking.
In case the proposed government center suffers the same fate as the recommendation to take over the city's port operations from the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation, Dilag quoted self-confessed gay actor and Pinoy Big Brother housemate Rustom Padilla, "Only the event can teach in its hour."
Dilag, however, appealed to the public to help him and Leonardia pray for the realization of the project.
He said that of all the mayors who had served the city, it is only Leonardia who became serious with the project.
"All were dreamers but this time Mayor Bing will realize this dream," Dilag said.
Dilag said they are not afraid on the pronouncement of former councilor Juan Ramon "Monju" Guanzon who threatened to file charges against Leonardia on his choice for the site of the new government center.
Dilag described on the gripes of Guanzon as a "wrong analogy," stressing that similar case had already happened during the time of former mayor Alfredo Montelibano when the latter decided to build the Paglaum State College (now Carlos A. Hilado Memorial State College) in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod.
Montelibano also preferred the government lot rather than those offered by a private donor.
The former mayor was accused but the local court later ruled in favor of the city, narrated Dilag.
Guanzon, son of the late Romeo Guanzon, former Bacolod representative and Leonardia's party mate during the 1995 election, had offered for free their five-hectare land property in Barangay Mansilingan.
He said he felt aggrieved when Leonardia has chosen the city-owned property in Taculing to which the new government center will be constructed.
Leonardia, on the other hand, was shocked by the news that the Taculing Council was reportedly against the proposal of building the government center in the said area.
"If other barangays want to have this kind of project, I don't know why the Taculing officials are against it?" asked the mayor.
Based on his assessment, he said, it's very clear that his political nemesis have a hand in the issue.
These people are simply trying to sabotage the project, he said.
But Leonardia said he entrusts the decision to the people. (EASD)
(March 28, 2006 issue)
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