TO IDENTIFY, evaluate and recommend the possible acquisition of real properties for future use of the City Government of Bacolod, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez created the Land Banking Committee.
In his executive order number 31, which he signed last week, Benitez stressed that section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 mandates that Local Government Units shall exercise powers for its efficient and effective governance and those which are essential to the promotion of general welfare.
Under the same law, the city mayor has to initiate and maximize the generation of resources and revenues, and apply the same to the implementation of development plans, he said.
Through the creation of the committee, the mayor hopes to provide efficient and effective property and supply management in the city, and protect the funds, credits, rights and other properties of the city;
It may be recalled that on August 24 this year, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution requesting the mayor for the creation of the committee.
The land banking committee will be headed by the city assessor as the chairperson and the SP committee on laws chairman as the vice chairperson.
Completing the members are the chairpersons of the SP Committees on Finance and government assets, the city treasurer, engineers, planning and development offices, the register of deeds and a representative from the real estate developer.
Together, they will identify, evaluate and determine parcels of land for possible acquisition by the city government, ensure that all laws, rules, regulations and issuances applicable be strictly followed, and submit reports and recommendations to Benitez.
Their reports shall be based on its evaluation conducted taking into consideration the factors of site location and appraised value of the subject property, Benitez noted.* (APN)