Flor explains vote on P150M loan
BACOLOD CITY — Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Celia Flor explained yesterday her decision why she voted for the ratification of the P150 million Loan Agreement with the Philippine National Bank for the purpose of landbanking program despite the fact that she was absent when the Council authorized the Local Chief Executive to enter into a Loan Agreement.
Flor said that there is nothing wrong if she took part in the ratification because this huge loanable amount is just only a standby credit that will be utilized for relocation site since everyday the city is confronted with so many squatters.
She also said that the transaction they entered last Wednesday is not tainted with anomaly because the bank is mandated to follow the procedures. “If ever there is an anomaly, the transaction must be guarded between the landowners and the buyers and not with the bank,” Flor said.
She also made her stand that she voted in the affirmative because the problem of squatters is immediate.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Barangay Captains of Bacolod City forwarded recently their position paper to Mayor Evelio Leonardia requesting the latter to reconsider the plan to obtain a loan of P150 million which they deem is grossly disadvantageous to the Bacolod residents in general.
According to the Position Paper, “(t)he P150 Million Loan Agreement with the PNB and its stipulated terms and conditions cripple the Local Government of Bacolod in terms of basic services and facilities and in the exercise of its duties and functions to its constituents considering that the City has already incurred a prior loan of P396 Million plus interest and charges with the PNB for the New Government Center.”
The Position Paper submitted to the Local Chief Executive was duly signed by Barangay Captains Madeline Diaz, Carlo Barredo, Josue Makilan, Henry Demapanag, Caren Pineda, Jeffrey Cuachon and Richard Sason.