Tupas ally 'thumbs-down' to P350M project
Sentiments against the Capitol's planned construction of a P350 million Convention Center got major backing from known allies of the project-proponent, Governor Niel Tupas Sr.
Joining majority of the board members in grilling and questioning Tupas-hired financial advisor David Buenavacz, Second District Board Member June Mondejar lost no time in showing his reservations on the project.
With statements directly addressed to Buenavacz and associate, Bong Tandoc, Board Member Mondejar had a lengthy exchange with the duo in Tuesday's Committee hearing.
Buenavacz and Tandoc similarly insisted that the province has more than enough money to finance the project. In fact, Tandoc "lectured" the SP body, "there is a lot of money deposited in the banks. It is just a matter of appropriation. The question is how to mobilize it."
Mondejar then sought to be recognized and calmly addressed the governor's newfound financial men.
"You do not know the condition of this province," Mondejar began while looking straight at both Buenavacz and Tandoc. "Do you know that we cannot even give the hazard pay of our health workers? Do you know that we cannot even repair our provincial roads?"
Mondejar went on to manifest his objections on what was hyped-up as "centerpiece" for Iloilo. His major concern, he told the Committee, was that the basic delivery of services of the province will be hampered and affected once the P350 million loan will be pursued for the Convention Center.
Sentiments that were duly supported by officials from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and representatives from Certified Public Accountants (CPA).
"Borrowing from the banks should be secondary. Viability is the primary concern," CPA Patrocinio Pudadera said.
Asked for initial comment on the project, First District Board Member Mac Napulan told The News Today (TNT), "personally, I don't believe it is viable and I also see it as disadvantageous to the government"
Napulan for his part sought clarifications on the project's components that ultimately revealed that once constructed, the operations would actually be turned-over to a private group.
Other disclosures was the exclusion of the rehabilitation of the old Capitol building in the P350 million loan despite the clear provisions on the earlier issued Resolution that granted authority to Tupas to seek the loan.
Meantime, more reservations from yet another partymate of the governor, Fifth District Board Member Jett Rojas.
In an interview, Rojas told TNT that it is definitely a concern when government planners gave the Buenavacz Feasibility Study a very poor grade.
From the very start, he added, he was not convinced on the capability of Buenavacz to serve as Capitol financial advisor.
"You see the main business of the government is to provide its constituents with basic services. The Convention Center, tama gid kalayo. I have always believe that those who are less in life, those who belong to the marginalized sector of our community, should have more in government services," Rojas ended.
Opinions that were likewise shared by yet another Fifth District Board Member Jesus Salcedo Jr.
"Who does not want a Convention Center? But what is important here is that we properly consult the people because after all, P350 million is a lot of people's money," Salcedo for his part said.