Monday, January 23, 2006
Councilors question P4M lights in Burnham Park
By Rimaliza Opiña
FOR the past months, the Baguio City's premier park stood out especially at night because of the newly installed lights, which has since illuminated the park's main attraction, the Burnham Lake.
But unknown to the public, the lights have been the subject of controversy lately because no official of the City Government, who may be privy to its installation, wanted to say where the lights came from.
The lights, reportedly worth P4 million, were reportedly donated by the "Lift up Baguio," a non-government organization headed by businesswoman Nelia Cid.
Councilors Elmer Datuin and Daniel Fariñas said while there is nothing wrong with private organizations giving donations to the City Government, both stressed documents have to be made available when donations are done.
Datuin explained it is a procedure in government that donations have to be covered by a deed of donation, saying the government also needs to establish reasons behind a donation and the individual or groups that made the donation.
He added it has to be clearly established on who would pay for the electric consumption and maintenance of the lights. "This is for transparency," Datuin said as he did not discount the possibility that the amount spent for the lights came from the proceeds of the 2005 Panagbenga, which, if validated, would run counter to the audit report showing that the flower festival incurred loses last year.
(January 23, 2006 issue)
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