BACOLOD City – Some questions have been “left unanswered” that is why they want to suspend the release of the city government’s P1.7-billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
Opposition councilors Claudio Jesus Puentevella and Wilson Gamboa Jr. in a press conference yesterday said they wrote a letter asking the DBP not to release yet the loan money, which will fund four flagship projects of Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia.
These projects include the P350-million development of the Progreso Village Relocation Site, P350-million development of the Bacolod City College, P800-million construction of the Bacolod MassKara Coliseum, and the P200-million road and bridge construction program.
According to Puentevella and Gamboa, Bacolodnons were not “made fully and conscientiously aware of the salient details of the contract of indebtedness.”
They said questions have been raised about the loan but the answers were “vaguely justified.”
“That is why we are bringing the issue straight to the people kay may mga naghutik man sa amon from DBP nga abi sang bank it was unanimously approved by the city council,” said Puentevella.
He added: “We want to make it clear that there are still two or three councilors who are opposing it (loan).”
Anthony Robles, head of DBP’s Development Lending Sector, said the letter was already forwarded to Senior Manager Nernardo Castillon Jr., head of DBP Negros Occidental Lending Center.
Robles said Castillon will decide on the matter.
NOT RUSHED
Meanwhile, Councilor Caesar Distrito said all necessary procedures have been followed before the city government entered into the loan contract.
The chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinance and Good Government stressed that the agreement was not “made in haste.”
“This was thoroughly discussed and debated upon,” said Distrito. “All requirements had been complied with.”
He added that only two-thirds vote of SP members – or 10 out of 15 – is required to authorize Leonardia to enter into the loan.
The vote need not be unanimous, Distrito, a lawyer, said.
Public hearings that gathered department heads, barangay officials and bank personnel have also been held.
Moreover, Distrito said the Local Housing Board, the City Development Council (CDC) and the City Engineer’s Office have conducted feasibility studies on the projects covered by the loan in 2017.
In early 2018, the CDC has approved the projects followed by the SP ratifying them, Distrito added./PN
