COUNCILOR Mylen Yaranon sees hope in the market deal for the City of Baguio.
“Our original direction is to make the master development plan of the market, which the Technical Working Group (TWG) and consultants made, in consultation with the market stakeholders and approved by the different public sectors during public consultations, and the City Council stood their ground of adopting this plan," Yaranon said.
"Therefore, even if the majority voted for a public-private partnership, there is still hope because we do not have to accept any unsolicited proposals. Once we finalize our terms of reference, solicited proposals will be open to more bidders,” she added.
Yaranon explained her vote for a social equity deal as a means for Baguio residents, consumers and vendors to invest in the market.
“Because we own the market, instead of big corporations earning from it. We can have bond floatations or other means of investing,” Yaranon said.
While the PPP decision won, the council voted to adopt the architectural plans made by the City’s TWG for the development of the public market in Ordinance no. 38-2020, which will mandate developers to follow the plans made and approved previously by stakeholders.
All plans by proponents will also have to go through the City Council.
Seven councilors, namely Councilors Joel Alangsab, Benny Bomogao, Micheal Lawana, Levy Llyod Orcales, Fred Bagbagen, Francisco Roberto Pacoy Ortega VI and Leah Farinas, voted in favor of a PPP deal.
Voting in favor of a government-funded program through social equity were Councilor Popo Cosalan, Valdimir Cayabas, Arthur Allad-iw and Yaranon, while Councilor Philan Weygan Allan voted for a loan.
Ortega and Farinas initially voted for loan agreement but flipped their votes to a PPP scheme, allowing the majority to rule in the end vote.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda abstained while Councilor Elaine Sembrano chose to step out of the session when the voting commenced.
Yaranon assured that the choice will not be limited to SM Prime Holdings and Robinsons Corporation.
“Not anymore because we should not entertain unsolicited proposals. But they and other proponents can still bid for solicited proposals. The council can review and approve parameters and terms of reference in the following months," she said.