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Monday, October 13, 2003
Council rejects STP
By Edwin G. Espejo
* Vote, coupled with DENR decision to cancel the project, puts an abrupt end to the ambitious multi-million-peso project
THE City Council finally rejected Thursday a proposed resolution that would have given Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. the authority to purchase a property in Baluan where the proposed sewage treatment plant was to be constructed.
By a vote of nine to three, and with one city councilor abstaining, the City Council virtually dashed any hopes that the city could still avail of a grant for the proposed P523 million Sewage Treatment Plant project.
The vote also virtually put the final nail in the coffin for the multimillion peso project as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier decided to cancel the project after the local legislative body repeatedly refused to grant the city mayor the said authority.
The six-hectare property in Baluan was supposed to be the city's equity to the project, a grant from the national government out of a loan from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC).
The project has been on the pipeline since 1997 but the city government failed to avail of the said grant due to major differences between the councilors and the project's foreign consultants.
Those who voted against the resolution were Floor Leader Lourdes Casabuena, councilors Zoilo Abing, Minardo Avial Jr., Delia Rabanes, Jose Mariano Gonzales, Eduardo Leyson III, Brian Estrellan, Jose Mari Natividad and lone opposition councilor Franklin Gacal Jr.
Councilors Minda Atendido, Orlando Oco and Cesar Baņas voted in favor.
Councilor Ramon Milleza, who earlier challenged DENR secretary Elisea Gozun, abstained during the voting.
President pro tempore Jose Orlando Acharon did not vote as he presided the regular session.
The councilors who voted against the said resolution defied appeals from the city mayor who repeatedly expressed his support to the project.
Last Monday, Mayor Acharon said the councilors will have to answer to the people for their decision to reject the proposed measure despite a memorandum of agreement entered into between the City Government and DENR during the administration of former City Mayor Adelbert Antonino.
(October 10, 2003 issue)
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