Bacolod 2020 Movement sets conditions for P150M loan
BACOLOD CITY – A civil society group here has set four conditions for the city government to follow after the Sangguniang Panglungsod ratified the P150 million loan from Philippine National Bank (PNB) for the development of relocation site for urban poor.
Max Cordero of the Bacolod 2020 Movement said, since the loan agreement was already ratified they urged the city government to adopt certain conditions to ensure that the huge amount of money would go to its purpose and will not be wasted.
The conditions set by the Bacolod 2020 Movement are as follows: 1) The establishment of an independent committee headed by Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod and composed of representatives from KMPL, LUPA, KADAMAY, SASCULDEF, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat, UAP, PICE, LCC ARFIEN and UNO-R Civil Engineering to manage the loan fund and program implementation with the Bacolod Housing Authority acting as secretariat; 2) The independent committee be authorized to review the terms of the loan and the land valuation and reject/replace such loan terms and property under consideration if such are found onerous and detrimental to the interest of Bacolod City; 3) The Sangguniang Panglungsod shall not interfere in the program implementation and limit itself to oversight functions; and 4) The independent committee shall prioritize on-site development and resort to relocation only as last option.
“In the absence of the said conditions, the Bacolod 2020 Movement will muster all its resources to stop this proposal which is deceptive, anti-poor, anti-development, onerous and fraudulent,” the group said.
The movement stressed that they welcome the proposal of the Sanggunian to provide a relocation site for the city’s urban poor even if it is already late. Still they look at this proposal with grave concern as it appears to be more whimsical act of the SP rather than a component of a comprehensive program for the urban poor which the city does not have despite the magnitude (second to Quezon City nationwide) and duration (more than 10 years) of the squatting problem in the city.
The clear absence of clearly defined programs, a trademark of the present administration, evidences that the LGU disregarded for genuine, more particularly sustainable development, they said.
The arbitrariness of the loan proposal forces them to view the action as cheap political gimmick considering its proximity to the May 10, 2010 elections.
It also reminds them of the similarity of the proposal with the loan for the controversial, and allegedly overpriced New Government Center which was also passed by the SP on the eve of 2007 election.
Meanwhile, Kid Bañas said their vision for the city will not become feasible unless they run in public office. The group decided to field a complete slate for their candidates in the upcoming elections. Their candidates would come from various sectors which he describes as new faces, no political name, no money or machineries.
Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue stressed the importance platform-based politics, track record and sense of integrity rather than money-based style.
Max Cordero read their August Declaration yesterday in press conference held at Chicken House, Mandalagan.
“We are offering to Bacolod the best alternative there is, a light at the end of the tunnel clearly visible, for us to achieve the best for Bacolod City beginning May 10, 2010,” he said.