CEBU, Philippines — A coalition group expressed “strong” opposition to Mandaue City’s decision in securing a P3 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for the construction of a one-stop-shop government center.
In a press conference yesterday, Sept 4, 2024, the Save Mandaue Coalition (SMC) said that the loan should be used instead in addressing pressing concerns of the community, or perhaps get a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to build the said center.
“Wala namo gibabagan ang government center nga gusto gyud nilang ipatukod pero huna-hunaon unta kung sakto ba ang P3 billion nga ilahang gusto gyud i-push through para lang makuha ng government center na project,” said SMC spokesperson Elaine Joyce Bacunador.
Bucanor said that the PPP, which is the solution not to get a loan, even has several benefits including efficiency, providing access to capital, improving service delivery, and improving the economic growth of Mandaue.
“It (PPP) is widely used, the progressing countries. Gusto man kaha ang Mandaue mo-level ana nga part, mao nang mu oppose mi sa P3 billion because there is a solution nga di na ta need mangutang,” said Bucanor.
“We want to give emphasis or highlight the importance and benefits of considering the implementation or usage of Public-Private Partnership as a long term and concrete resolution in resolving the pressing issues Mandauehanons are facing” the group added.
Meanwhile, six SMC convenors of the movement also shared their concerns in their respective barangays which they said should be addressed first.
“We believe this substantial financial commitment is misplaced and does not address the most pressing issues facing our community. Instead of investing in a new facility, we urge the administration to prioritize immediate solutions to critical problems,” the group said.
The group likewise presented projects which they said should be addressed first, such as flood control management, which addresses the Commission on Audit (COA) “red flags” on the use of public funds; provide resettlement site for barangay Tipolo residents; and improvement in access to medicine, medical facilities, and school buildings.
“Ako, sa akong bahin supak ko anang ilang 3 billion naloan pero wala ko nisupak sa ilang government city project peromas naa man gud ta tay unahon dapat na problema,” said Grace Alegria, one of the SMC convenors.
“Sa amoa sa A.S. Fortuna ang baha dinha gikan pa na sauna hantod karon wa juy kausaban. Mag unsa man ta kung nindot kaayo tag government center then ang Baniladmaglangoy lang gihapon mi sa baha?” Alegria stressed.
The SMC group also claimed that their opposition is not controlled by any political agenda. They said it was created as they share a common goal to seek solutions in their concerns.
“Lahi lahi mi kami og barangay, lahi lahi mi og background, nagkahiusa kami kay nakita namo kining issue-ha, og wala ni naggawas ang issue sa media, dili mi magkahiusakaron. Ug nakita namo ang usa lang sa amoang vision na gusto kami mu call-out ani nga issue karon,” said Bacunador.
“To answer if naa bay nagpaluyo, individual ni namong katuyuan, amoa ning kinasing-kasing og sensiro na paglantaw sa mga Mandauehanon,” the spokesperson added.
Mandaue’s Response
Mandaue City Public Information Officer Karla Victoria Cortes in a statement said that they respect SMC’s freedom of speech, however said that it should not be used as a political agenda.
“While we respect their right to voice their opinions—freedom of speech is, after all, a cornerstone of our democracy—we must be careful not to let this become a political spectacle,” she said.
She also highlighted that the government center is not a luxury but instead a necessity that will serve not only as a building, but an avenue to streamline services for the people in Mandaue.
“As for the issue at hand, it’s important to understand that the Mandaue City LGU currently operates from 19 different locations, each serving the public in its own capacity. The government center is not just a building; it is a step toward streamlining services and making life easier for our citizens. Efficiency, after all, is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity,” she added.
As the group pushed for PPP, Mandaue City Treasurer Atty. Regal Oliva told reporters in an interview last Monday that with the studies conducted by the city, PPP is not beneficial for Mandaue.
“When we studied and exhausted our studies for a PPP project for a government center, makita nato na dili beneficial to Mandaue City,” said Oliva.
The city treasurer said that if PPP is pushed to build the government center, the first eighth floors will be occupied by the private partner, while floors from ninth and above will belong to the city that will make it more difficult to cater to people.
“Di ta musugot na ang atoang i-PPP ang government sector, kay kita wala tay freedom to use ang ato-ang city hall, we will not be liberated to encourage more people to visit it kay daghan kaayo’g restrictions ang private management,” said Oliva.
Oliva added that Mandaue still applies PPP on other projects, such as for the mall, theater, and terminal, which will be built as well in the new center, but not for the city government building itself.
The city treasurer also assured that the P3 billion will only serve as a standby loan of the city.
“Kung naay kwarta next year, we don’t use the 3 billion anymore…ang ato-a naa tay security, because there might be needs of Mandaue that is highly important or even more imperative than the construction of the government center in the future,” said Oliva.
Last August 29, the city held its groundbreaking ceremony for the P3 billion worth Mandaue City Government Center in Barangay Tipolo, where the old Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) is located. —/ATO (FREEMAN)