Capitol heads full force in Defensor Jr.'s revenue code hearing
For the first time in a long time, in the halls of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) at least, invited Capitol chiefs came in full force and honored the invitation sent for a committee hearing.
From the General Services Office (GSO) vis-a-vis the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), the Provincial Treasurer's Office (PTO) to the Provincial Engineer's Office (PEO), all other equally important department heads were present.
Called by Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr., the hearing was part of the series of consultations relative to amendments sought on the province's revenue code.
Yesterday's 'episode' focused on provisions on rentals for lands and buildings owned by the Iloilo Provincial Government as well as rentals from conference halls and other similar places.
It likewise touched on rentals of the provincial equipment alongside fees and charges of laboratory testings of construction materials. Further still were talks on rentals of the Iloilo Sports Complex and its facilities with discussions presented on the proposed dormitory here.
Other topics as presented to the Capitol chiefs were the "Secretary's Fees", "Sticker's Fees" and all other fees of the BAC.
Meantime, Defensor Jr. sought for an update in the ongoing inventories made on Capitol's assets.
Capitol lawyer Ethel Demaisip-Sanson apprised the committee that consolidation is still underway on all Capitol properties. As for possibility of leasing out these assets, Sanson said that such can only be realized once ownership to the Province of Iloilo has been ascertained and finalized. Lease may also be done once the concerned properties have been rid of squatters.
Defensor Jr. sought further clarification on the Capitol property for lease with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. With P1 a year as rent, the lease contract has reportedly expired saying "we need to decide what to do now."
The committee was told of other existing structures in the area including those considered "idle" and of late, even sub-leased minus the Capitol's approval.
Defensor Jr. chairs the Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Economic Affairs and Investment.
Other board members present yesterday were Second District Board Member June Mondejar and Fifth District's Jeneda Salcedo. Representatives from the offices of First District Board Member Richard Garin and Fifth District Jett Rojas were also present.