Town council forbids mayor to get loan

CEBU, Philippines - The Sangguniang Bayan of Daanbantayan, Cebu has stopped the municipality from availing of a World Bank grant made available for 16 local government units affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

This, after seven of the nine town councilors turned down the Municipal Development Council (MDC) resolution requesting the SB that Daanbantyan take advantage of a Land Bank of the Philippines loan to finance the 10-percent local government unit counterpart required by WB-Support for Strategic Local Development & Investment Projects (S2LDIP) Program.  Part of the loan would also be used to purchase the lot to be used for the relocation of the municipal hall.

The MDC endorsed around P885 million worth of projects, which include drainage system, water treatment facilities, relocation of the town hall and wet market, modernization of the Rural Health Unit, and purchase of heavy equipment.

Due to lack of funds, Vice Mayor Gilbert Arrabis Jr. said the municipality needs to apply for a loan equivalent to 10 percent of the total amount to be approved by WB.

Before the program could be started, the town must fulfill all requirements, which include an organized S2LDIP Team, letter of intent by the mayor for the town to avail of the program, and an SB re-solution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with LBP.

Town Councilor Rex Novabos, who is also the Association of Barangay Councils president, however, raised several questions when the matter was brought to the plenary for discussion.

Novabos contended that they have no basis, such as a detailed plan of the projects, to approve the resolutions submitted by MDC.

“Show us the plan first. Di ko gusto naay kaso atubangon mo-approve lang nga wa’y basehan. Estorya ra ang basehan?” he said.

 “What will happen sa project kung di mahuman?” he said when the SB learned that the project would terminate in April 2016.

Novabos likewise questioned why the administration is so concerned about the municipal building being vulnerable to storm surge but not over residents living by the shoreline like those in the coastal communities of Malapascua and Carnaza islands.

He instead suggested that the town construct a building away from the shore that would serve as a computer hub where all files are stored electronically to protect important documents.

He also said that acquiring heavy equipment requires the hiring of skilled drivers, which would entail additional cost to the muni-cipality.

In the same manner, Novabos said, modernizing the Rural Health Center requires medical experts to take charge of the equipment that the municipality cannot even afford.

In a Facebook post, Municipal Budget Officer Marissa Cruz said they have explained the program to SB members together with LBP officials last month.

“We presented in a powerpoint presentation (hard copy also was given to the Sanguniang Bayan ) the DED, Program of Work, drawings nga gi-overtime-man gyud sa team of engineers and consultants coming from Cebu City just to help Daanbantayan,” she said.

“All of our effort was in vain. Everything vanished. We in the executive side, the S2LDIP committee, have done our part; but then again, I respect the decision of the honorable august body,” she added.  (FREEMAN)