Monday, February 12, 2007 Mayor laughs off critics By Bong Garcia
MAYOR Celso Lobregat laughed off the accusation of the local opposition that he has not implemented the investment code of Zamboanga City.
Lobregat said the investment code is not being implemented for reasons it will be subjected to revisions, following the recommendation of a committee that was formed to thoroughly study the ordinance.
The mayor said he is sending back the investment code to the City Council for revision "so this could be a better ordinance that will suit the business climate of the city."
"They can accuse and accuse and accuse, (for not implementing it) okay lang, happy lang kita," Lobregat said.
Lakas-Kampi vice mayoralty aspirant Vic Solis criticized the Lobregat administration for its alleged failure to implement the local investment code, which is part of the 17-point agenda when the latter ran for mayor in 2004.
Solis, who has served for several years as legal counsel of the Lobregats, said the local investment code is one of the priority ordinances that should be implemented because it will generate employment.
Lobregat said there are provisions in the local investment code that need to be revised, saying "it is very hard to implement an ordinance and change it within two or three months while it is being implemented."
Councilor Juan Climaco Elago II, an ally of Lobregat, authored the investment code. The ordinance was approved in 2003.
