Leonardia awaits PNB loan deal for land acquisition
BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia confirmed yesterday that Philippine National Bank (PNB) representatives from Metro Manila will be here this week to validate the request of our city officials to seek another loan agreement for the acquisition of land to be used as urban poor relocation sites.
Leonardia issued this statement amid reports that around 3,000 squatters in various barangays in the city face imminent danger of demolition.
He said that he already recommended the property adjacent to Barangay Vista Alerge which is the current relocation site of the city.
Leonardia said he will seek authority from Sangguniang Panglungsod before signing the proposed loan agreement.
Leonardia said that the Abada-Escay property in Brgy. Vista Alegre has no more space to accommodate the squatters.
"The city will appropriate huge amount for relocation site because there is a need for the city to develop the land for squatters,” Leonardia said, adding the plight of the squatters is his primary concern because almost everyday the committee on housing and urban resettlement receive complaints of demolition.
Leonardia hopes that this week, the terms and condition for land banking will be discussed throughly after validation of the amount that will be set aside for this purpose.
Meanwhile, Leonardia confirmed that the Sangguniang Panglungsod has already ratified last Special Session the electric service contract with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) after the City council give him last week the authority to sign.
Leonardia said that after the ratification, Ceneco will review all the legal requirements until the New Government Center will be fully energized. Almost eight offices had already transferred for the New Government Center from the old city hall.
The seat of power of the City Mayor will remain in the old city hall including the Permits and License Division, Assessor's Office, Public Affairs and Administration Division and other departments.