IN ORDER for the Baguio City Government to start the operation, maintenance and security of the Asin Hot Spring resort in Nangalisan Tuba, Benguet, Mayor Mauricio Domogan recently formed the Special Committee on Awards to administer its bidding process through Administrative Order 129.
The 4,344.23 sq. m. parcel of land where the Asin Hot Spring resort is located is owned by the City Government and was leased to spouses Catbagan for 20 years or until 1996 and which Catbagan sub-leased it to former manager Roger Sinot sometime in 1993.
In June 3, 2002, Sinot entered into a Contract of Lease with the City Government for the period of 15 years with a monthly rental of P3,000. The Contract of Lease was not confirmed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
"Supreme Court Decision No. G.R. 204667 dated June 10, 2013 affirming the Court of Appeals (CA) Decision and Resolution in CA-G.R. SP 121692 ordering Mr. Roger Sinot to immediately vacate the Asin Hot Spring Resort and pay P5,000 monthly rental for the use and occupation thereof from December 1996 until he shall have finally vacated the same," said Domogan.
Despite several demands for Sinot to vacate the area without mentioning the supposedly rental fees to be remitted or paid to the city, Sinot is still operating the resort, Domogan added.
To recover the funds and the property, the special committee on awards will administer the bidding process based on the Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 92-386 due to non-coverage of this bidding procedure by Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, noted the mayor.
The special committee will be chaired by city administrator Carlos Canilao with members city budget officer Leticia Clemente, general services officer Romeo Concio, city accountant Antonio Tabin and officer-in-charge city legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes.
Domogan directed the committee to convene immediately to carry out the bidding procedures for the city to recover the property and subsequently be an income-generating asset of the city. (Jho Arranz/PIO)