Two former Bacolod City officials called the decision of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia to construct a new government center in Brgy. Taculing, Bacolod City "disadvantageous" to the city.

Former Councilor Juan Ramon Guanzon, one of those offered to donate his property to the city, said that if the decision of the Mayor is final, it will be in conflict with his vision to create new growth centers in the city.

He said the city-owned property in Brgy. Taculing is already congested and the construction of the project there will affect the Bacolod City College and the Bacolod City National High School, including its football field. Former Mayor Rolando Villamor said he believes the decision of Leonardia will be challenged in court. He said the Taculing site is already congested and the property could be saved by the city for future use since there is a property being offered for free, referring to the Guanzon property in Brgy. Mansilingan.

"I campaigned for him (Leonardia) during the election but I will criticize him for this because I don't want Bacolod to remain stagnant when other component cities are progressing," Villamor said.

Why did they conduct a public hearing when they have already the Taculing site in mind? Guanzon asked. He said the Mayor should reconsider his decision.

Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said for now it is only an opinion of the Mayor but there will be a final caucus on the City Hall site when he returns from Mexico. He said Leonardia has proposed to transfer the BCC to the City Health Office Compound at Galo-BBB because the CHO will be transferred to the new government center.

Meanwhile, Sayson said he wants to see the result of the investigation of the City Hall Committee to know what prompted it to recommend the Taculing site to the Mayor. To me, what is important is for us to have a new government center during our term, he said.

Sayson said his decision on the present site will depend on the analysis of the City Hall Committee and he will go for the site which will not entail any expense from the city.

Councilor Dindo Ramos said he hopes the SP members will not be divided on the issue of a government center or a city hall. "I respect the decision of the Mayor to establish a new government center and I hope he will also respect ours if we decide on a city hall," he said.

Sayson said the best way is to ask the opinion of the Department of Interior and Local Government if the concurrence of the SP is not needed in the selection of a site.

Councilor Greg Gasataya said these matters should be deliberated by the SP. Whether it is a city hall or a government center, as long as, the city will not spend for the purchase of the property, I see no problem, he said.

However, Gasataya said he believes the whole proposal should be transparent to the public because it will involve government funds.

Ramos said he has two choices, the Taculing site and the Guanzon property in Brgy. Mansilingan, which is ideal for purposes of steering a new growth area in Bacolod. However, he said the Guanzon property is not accessible since it is 100 meters from the highway. On the other hand, the Taculing site, which is his second choice, is accessible and near the present City Hall and will not entail any expense from the city, he added.

Ramos said that if the SP is given a chance to choose, he will go for the Guanzon property. However, what is important is that the city could have a new government center that will better serve the tax payers of the city, he said.

Councilor Homer Bais said he believes that the Mayor in selecting the Taculing site only wanted to ensure that the city does not lose the present City Hall which has a conditional donation. He said the decision of the Mayor was based on the recommendation of the City Hall Committee and the SP also passed an ordinance declaring the need for another site to augment the present site.

Bais said he would have preferred the site being offered by the Guanzon family if the city could be provided an area along the highway. He too wants the project implemented during their term, he said.

Councilor Al Victor Espino said it is the prerogative of the Mayor to choose the site. He too would have preferred the Guanzon property, he said, but he respects the Mayor's decision. As long as the project will be constructed during their term, he will support it because he believes the city needs a new government center.*CGS

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