SP to ratify the loan contract with PNB for relocation site
BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia confirmed recently that he is now studying the three “colatillas” set by the Sangguniang Panglungsod after he was authorized last week to sign the Loan Agreement with Bacolod City and the Philippine National Bank relative to the P150 million loan for the establishment of a new relocation site.
Based on Resolution No. 631, Series of 2009, the Bacolod City Council urges the Local Chief Executive to delete some portion of the Loan Agreement which referred to the Fire Insurance Policy on the Bacolod City Government duly endorsed in favor of the Bank which was financed under the Borrower’s P400,000,000.00 loan with the Bank.
Leonardia was also asked by the City Council to delete Par. 4 on page 5 of the Loan Agreement which refers to the remaining balance of the P400 million loan of the New Government Center for the reason that it is not related to the purpose of the loan which is for landbanking purposes.
It is also stated in the Loan Agreement that the authority extended to the Mayor is without prejudice to the final selection of the site by the City Mayor with the concurrence of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
Leonardia is set to sign the Loan Agreement after all issues stipulated in the “colatillas” will be resolved. This documents presented by the Chief Executive will possibly be ratified in today’s session. Earlier, SP Member Dindo Ramos, chair of the Committee on Housing, said that this is now high time to look for relocation site since thousands of squatters face eviction from various courts.
Ramos likewise challenges those who opposed the Loan Contract to solve the problem of squatting by providing them a decent housing program.
Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA) head Mrs. Josephine Segundino is now undertaking an inventory of all city employees most specifically those who have not acquired permanent lots from PAG-IBIG program. She said that these employees could avail portion of the lots out of this 6,000 hectares to be acquired at Purok Arao, Barangay Vista Alegre. This homeless employees could avail a “socialized housing program” after a comprehensive study to be undertaken by the Bacolod Housing Authority.