Saturday, May 26, 2007 Mayor firm on P35M advance payment to gov’t agency
MAYOR Reinaldo Bautista Jr. maintained his stand that the City Government must advance the P35 million for the Baguio Convention Center (BCC).
Bautista iterated this after the City Council, in its regular session last Monday, again deferred acting on the request to approve the initial payment.
Members of the legislative body are in quandary where the City Government would get the P35 million.
Bautista however explained that there is an available fund for the purpose. "We should not worry where to get the amount. The City Government has savings and this (BCC down payment) is one of the emergency reasons where we could use the savings."
He said an executive-legislative meeting was also set next week for both departments to decide on how to address the concern.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) earlier wrote to the City saying it would take back possession of the BCC following the City's failure to pay its yearly amortization.
The City Government, GSIS and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) have a standing agreement where the City's shares from the lease rentals of Camp John Hay would be used to pay the convention center purchase.
The BCDA however failed to release the city's share. (JC)
