THE Negros Occidental Provincial Board is granting a 20 percent discount to occupant-agencies of the Negros First Cyber Centre (NFCC) in Bacolod City.
This will be implemented after the Negros Occidental PB passed during its regular session Wednesday the request of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. for approval and authority to sign the pro-forma contract of lease between the provincial government and various government agencies under the Negros Island Region.
Fifth District Board Member Alain Gatuslao, chairman of committee on laws, said the province is providing occupant-agencies 20 percent discount from the regular rate of P350 per square meter.
In effect, Gatuslao said the rate for government offices is now P280 per square meter only.
Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson asked for clarification if the discounts are allowed in the existing provincial ordinance, and if the P280 discounted rate has basis.
Gatuslao said the ordinance does not provide for a discount, but the rates can be changed through subsequent amendments.
“It was done through the negotiated agreement between the province and the Philippine National Bank especially for government to government transaction,” the board member said.
Provision of discount is allowed under a general law which was mentioned in the negotiated documents but not in ordinance, Gatuslao added.
He further said that the province made a uniform contract for government agencies and offices that would like to avail of the 20 percent discount. (EPN)