AN INVESTIGATION surrounding the market development is being sought by the City Council.
Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan has sought a probe to ascertain the process of selection of a developer for the city public market is on the right path.
Weygan-Allan added there are allegations of corruption hounding the controversial move to develop the public market with private partners, which she would like to be cleared.
He added the investigation will help clear the air on whispers of corruption that can be tackled in the city’s legislative branch.
“We want to ascertain that there is no truth to allegations of corruption and that we are in the correct process,” the lady councilor said.
Weygan-Allan added after the investigation, the issue of the design can then be tackled as there is an opposition to the seven-floor design submitted for the proposed market development design.
According to Weygan-Allan, the issues on the design can also be tackled at the City Council with all comments and observations bared to the public.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier signed Memorandum 433 series of 2020, awarding the Original Proponent Status Status to SM Prime Holdings Incorporated (SMPI), disapproving the previous award to Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), in a decision causing debate among legislators and the public.
Public-Private Partnership for People-Screening Committee (P4-SC) head Bonifacio Dela Peña previously assured there was no corruption in the selection of the proponent for market development.
The P4-SC has formed a negotiating panel that will be divided into technical and financial teams, composed of P4-SC members and people Magalong has assigned, to act as observers but will have no power to vote on any matter.
Another meeting will summon SMPI to present city terms of negotiation, as well as findings of the negotiating panel’s technical and financial teams. The mall giant will also be given the chance to present its terms and will have to be approved by both the city and SMPI.
If all is approved, negotiation of 45 days will start completing the 90-day requirement.