City dads reject planned lease of city lot to drug testing lab

Some members of the City Council expressed opposition to the proposal allowing a drug-testing company to lease a city-owned lot inside the compound of the City Traffic Operations Management for the setting up of a laboratory testing center with a monthly rental of only P6,000.

Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem tried to convince his fellow city legislators that Mayor Tomas Osmeña should be allowed to sign a five-year lease contract with the officials of St. John Drug Testing Laboratory for the rental of a city-owned lot with an area of “at least 40 square meters”.

It was councilor Gerardo Carillo who first objected to the proposal after he observed that it did not pass through the Bids and Awards Committee to see to it that such transaction will not be disadvantageous to the city.

Though there was one councilor who believes that the recommendation of the BAC is no longer necessary as the lot is not for sale but only up for a five-year rental period, majority floor leader Nestor Archival supported Carillo’s arguments that the transaction should first pass through the BAC.

Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa suggested to subject the proposed lease contract under a thorough study because he believes that said transaction is disadvantageous to the city considering that the rental is only P6,000 every month.

Other councilors shared in Abellanosa’s observation that the proposed lease contract is disadvantageous to the city because of the use of the phrase “at least” to describe the area of the lot to be leased, indicating vagueness.  Also, it could not be determined whether the size mentioned referred to length or width —these two being elements in the formula to derive at an exact measurement of an area. 

“Maayong klarohon kon pila man g’yod ka square meters! Kon ibutang lang diha sa contract nga at least 40 square meters, mahimo ra nga 60 o kaha 100 ka square meters ang gamiton, unya mao ra na ang ilang ibayad nga abang?” this question was raised.

It was mentioned in the contract that the drug testing company will be required to pay two months in advance and another amount equivalent to two months rental fees as security deposits, and that the amount will not be earning any interest.

After five years, the lessee has the option to renew the contract for another five years. Then the lessee shall be required to turn over back to the city the leased property and that all of the improvements constructed shall be deemed owned by the city government. —Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV