Thursday, November 15, 2007 PB to recall endorsement on P350M convention center? By Jay Dooma Balnig
INTERESTS on the P350-million convention center is fading even before actual construction could start.
A report to the Provincial Board's Committee of the Whole found the project impossible and recommended for the recall o the three previous board resolutions in support of the project.
The copy of the said committee report leaked after its presentation did not materialize during last Friday's special session.
Committee Chairperson Arthur Defensor Jr. deferred the discussion of the matter in the said session, as the committee members "need more time to read the 350-page committee report."
In the said report, the committee recommends for the "recall of Sanguniang Panlalawigan Resolutions, 2007-057, 2007-053 and 2007-058" or the resolutions granting authority to the governor to contract loan, authority to the governor to negotiate and to take out existing loans at Land Bank of the Philippines to finance the P350M convention center and the confirmation, ratification and approval of all terms and conditions on loan with Veterans Bank of the Philippines respectively.
The committee found the project not feasible after learning that it did not even pass through the Provincial Planning and Development Office scrutiny.
The committee cited that the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) requires a detailed feasibility study for every government project. The said convention project failed to comply to the said requirement.
Governor Niel Tupas Sr. refused to comment on the said report saying that he has not read or received a copy of the same.
