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Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Megadome project on: opposers outvoted
CEBU -- Megadome opponents were outvoted as seven of 12 Cebu Provincial Board (PB) who attended Monday’s session favored the proposed agreement between the Province and the Mandaue City Government for the undertaking.
PB Member Joven Mondigo objected to the move that he described as disadvantageous to the Province. He also said the court has yet to resolve questions on the passage of the P600-million supplemental budget that contains P250 million for the megadome.
But allies of Gov. Pablo Garcia, who believe the megadome will make Cebu “a greater province than it already is,” prevailed during the vote.
Board Member Josefina Patricia Asirit also noted that objections raised Monday did not really delve into the contents of the proposed agreement but were instead “motivated” by disagreement to the megadome itself.
Asirit, head of the committee on tourism, projects that Cebu will be “reaching a prominence higher than any other province has achieved” because of the megadome.
PB Member Victor Maambong, who represents Cebu’s 6th district to the board, also thinks that the project is “something worth risking.” The district includes Mandaue City, whose political leaders pushed for the agreement’s approval.
He also vouched for the “continuity” of the megadome’s usefulness, saying its use is not dependent on the change of administration because like the Mactan-Mandaue bridge, this will “cut across political expediency.”
But Mondigo is concerned with what he said is the lack of measures in the joint venture agreement that would “safeguard” the Province’s investment on the project.
“If the project fails, Mandaue will not lose because it will not donate the lot, but what will happen to the Province’s investment?” Mondigo asked.
He asked if it is not “unjust and unreasonable” for Mandaue City to get an equal share of the megadome’s profits when the land it offered for the project’s use will remain with the City, and its value has not been appraised. JPM
(September 9, 2003 issue) |
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