PB told: Hasten approval of Barili loan ordinance

CEBU, Philippines —  Barili, Cebu Mayor Julieto Flores is asking the Provincial Board (PB) to fast track the approval of the ordinance on the availment of the P200-million loan for the construction of the town’s new public market.

Flores, in an interview yesterday, said he does not know why it took so long for the PB to approve it considering that the Cebu Provincial government has no counterpart in the loan payment.

The mayor suspects “politics” behind the delay, considering that he is running for mayor against Barili Councilor Pablo John "John-john" Garcia IV, the son of the late Barili mayor Marlon Garcia and nephew of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia

"Mao na akong duda nganong gilangay-langay na sa PB. Kinahanglan na nilang dalion kay nag antos na intawon ang mga vendors sa merkadong walay atop. Dili na gyud siya pwede i-renovate. We will demolish the old market unya same area ra pud tukuron ang bag-ong merkado,” Flores said.

Flores said the delay is already a "cause of misery" among market vendors who are just selling in makeshift tents.

"The project is clear and a matter of public interest, and a market is a vital economic infrastructure and the source of income and livelihood for many Barilihanons," he said.

Also, Flores said time is of the essence because the loan opinion of Central Bank's Monetary Board will lapse in May 2022.

"Mao na nga hangyo ko sa PB nga aprubahan na unta nila ang ordinansa kay ma-expired ang opinion sa Monetary Board in May 2022 unya og ma expired na mangayo na sad ta og laing opinion unya dugay ra ba mga three to four months,” the mayor said.

On November 8, 2021, the Sangguniang Bayan of Barili approved an ordinance availing the P200 million loan for the construction of a new market. The approved SB ordinance waa forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review on November 11, 2021.

On November 22, SP referred the ordinance to the Committee on Ways and Means. On December 6, 2021, the committee rendered a report on the referred ordinance and requested Barili to submit additional documents.

On January 4, 2022, the Barili LGU transmitted all the requested documents and on January 17, 2022, SP again referred the ordinance with the submitted documents anew to the Committee on Ways and Means. — KQD (FREEMAN)