Opposition-led council backs WB loan for town

CEBU, Philippines - Despite majority of the town council belonging to the opposition bloc, the municipality of San Remigio was able to endorse P350 million worth of projects to be funded by a grant from the World Bank.

San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez said he was given authority by the Municipal Council to avail of the grant under the WB-Support for Strategic Local Development and Investment Project (S2LDIP).

Under the program, the local government unit shall provide a counterpart of 10 percent of the total amount granted by WB and shall be taken out of a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

“Di kaayo daku pero sakto ra pud, P35 million amo counterpart, sa kaya lang, sa kaya lang sa ma-implemented within sa time frame maoy among limitation,” Martinez said.

The projects include roads, school buildings; improvement of Hagnaya port terminal and public market in Barangays Poblacion and Tambungon, and a water system.

“Nakalusot nako sa konseho,” said Martinez, who has four allies out of the nine town councilors.

The WB grant was made available for 16 LGUs in northern Cebu that bore the brunt of super typhoon Yolanda over a year ago.

In Daanbantayan, the council, which has seven out of the nine councilors from the opposition, has been a hindrance for Mayor Augusto Corro to avail of the grant.

The Municipal Development Council endorsed P885 million worth of projects to WB.

But the majority of the council members had refused to grant Corro authority, which is a requirement before the municipality can avail of the grant.

The majority of the council members also turned down the resolution of the MDC requesting the council to take advantage of a loan from LBP to finance the town’s counterpart. —Gregg M. Rubio/ATO (FREEMAN)