7 town officials “absent” in meeting with Davide

CEBU, Philippines - The seven members of the municipal council of Daanbantayan did not attend the meeting yesterday called by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III to discuss the issue concerning the World Bank grant.

The only town officials present were Mayor Augusto Corro, Vice Mayor Gilbert Arrabis, and two administration-allied councilors, Emmanuel Menatiro and Chona de Leon.

Corro said these seven councilors were the ones who refused to grant him authority for the town to avail of the P800 million World Bank grant.

The authority from the council is a requirement before the municipality can avail of the grant under the Support for Strategic Local Development and Investment Project of the World Bank.

In an earlier report, the seven councilors wrote Davide a letter dated March 2 requesting to have fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon and Board Members Sun Shimura and Joven Mondigo Jr., who represent the fourth district in the Provincial Board, present during the meeting.

But Davide, in an interview with the media, said he is not keen on calling another meeting after yesterday’s appointment.

He then expressed disappointment over the failure of the seven councilors to attend the meeting, saying having another conference so the province can mediate would be ‘futile.’

“I’m disappointed nga wala sila. I acceded to the request of mayor nga mangita unta’g venue aron sila magkaistoryahanay. They wanted official communication from me, I wrote them invitation but wa sila mangari... I do not see any reason nga magpatawag pa ta og another meeting,” he told reporters.

He made it clear that he has no objection to invite Salimbangon and the two board members to join a meeting but observed based on the letter that the councilors are firm on their stand.

“Ang tono sa ilang letter is closed na ilang hunahuna. Di na sila mo-give way to the request of the mayor for authority,” he said.

The Municipal Development Council endorsed P885 million worth of projects to WB which include construction of drainage system, purchase of heavy equipment, relocation of municipal hall, relocation of wet market, rehabilitation of old public market and the modernization of rural health unit, water treatment facilities, among others.

Because of the issue, Corro reported that he is eyeing to adjust the proposed projects from the original P885 million to P270 million, hoping that the council will finally approve the adjusted amount.

He said P270 million would only cover the priority projects which are the drainage system and solid waste management.

“I compressed the amount. April 2016 na man lang ang deadline, nagdali man ta ani. So, 10 percent of that is P27 million. Di na pud ko motoo og mobalibad pa sila ana. Mas bale na lang naa tay gamay kaysa wala,” he said.

He added that he will not surrender and will find ways and resources for the town’s development.

“This is not for the good of the mayor, or the vice mayor, or the department heads. The bottomline is it’s for the good of the people of Daanbantayan,” he added. — (FREEMAN)