If local officials cooperate: Benhur eyes P15 million aid for Bogo

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon said he is willing to give the municipality of Bogo a portion of his Priority Development Fund if only the local officials will stop rejecting his offers.

After Bogo was downgraded from being a city back to being a municipality, Salimbangon vowed to help if the officials will cooperate.

Salimabangon said yesterday that he can allot about P10 million to P15 million for Bogo, to be charged against his PDF next year.

“That would already be a great help for them considering they have pending projects,” Salimabangon said.

Yet, the congressman has been receiving reports that officials of Bogo are issuing statements saying that they will never accept any help from him, he said.

“I would like to help as much as possible but there should be acceptance from the officials,” Salimabangon said.

Salimabangon said that in order for Bogo to qualify as a city, its income should be increased. He proposed that he will help in improving the infrastructures of the town, like asphalting of roads and other projects there are that need development so they could attract investors.

By attracting investors, the town may increase its collection from their desired level and may bring its cityhood back.

He reported that some barangays in Bogo have received assistance from his office because those are the only barangays which coordinated with them.

“Let’s us forget politics. Let’s just concentrate on how we can help,” he said.

Salimbangon is particularly pushing for the development of a natural gas reserve discovered in barangay Libertad, Bogo, that could be a potential source of power in Cebu.

Salimbangon said that it could provide at least five megawatts of power which will help in solving the problem on power shortage of the province.

“We need the support of the local government unit. I hope Mayor Martinez will not oppose this. We need his help in acquisition of permits and all other things needed to facilitate the implementation,” Salimbangon said, referring to Celestino Martinez Jr.

Salimbangon believes that if the project will materialize, Bogo will earn a separate income plus the taxes it can collect from the company that will handle the project.

The gas reserves were discovered during an oil drill conducted by the Philippine National Oil Corporation a few years ago. It is believed to produce a five-megawatt power supply that could last for 25 years. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)