Bacolod City Legal Officer Allan Zamora yesterday snubbed the invitation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for him to attend the session to clarify Executive Order No. 6, ordering the construction of a city government center in Brgy. Taculing, Bacolod City.

Zamora pointed out that the SP passed a resolution inviting City Administrator Lorendo Dilag and "The Representative" of the City Legal Office. "They should be thankful I did not send a casual employee to represent the CLO," he said.

Zamora said the SP should have addressed the invitation to him because it was he who gave the opinion on the transfer of the seat of government and the establishment of a government center, based on the Local Government Code.

Meanwhile, the SP members, who were divided on the Taculing site for a new government center, said they believe that they should have participation in its selection. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued E.O. 6 last week after a joint executive-legislative caucus to inform the SP members of his decision to construct the government center in Taculing.

Councilor Lyndon Caña said he is open minded to the Taculing site. However, he said he is saddened by the approach taken by the executive, although legal. He said the SP members would have appreciated it if they were allowed even a little bit of participation in the selection of the site. Caña said he believes that the SP is already boxed-in or limited to a debate whether to approve or not the funding for the construction of the project.

Dilag, however, said the SP were not taken by surprise because they were well aware of the move of the Mayor.

He said that if the government center is constructed at the Guanzon property in Brgy. Mansilingan which is the last barangay of Bacolod, it is the next town to which is Murcia that will become developed. While Councilor Napoleon Cordova favored the Taculing site, Councilor Catalino Alisbo objected to it.

Councilor Al Victor Espino suggested that a dialog be held by the Mayor with the legislative before his request to negotiate for a loan and in order to thresh out all queries that the SP may have regarding the plan.

Councilors Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and Reynold Iledan said they will make their decision when they see the plan for the government center.*CGS

back to top