The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday passed a unanimous resolution authorizing the mayor to negotiate a loan of P400 million from any government bank for the construction of a new city government center for Bacolod City.

The resolution was proposed by Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairman of the Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

Councilor Dindo Ramos proposed a colatilla that the authority they have granted Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia to negotiate for a loan is without prejudice to the selection of the site since the matter has not yet been discussed with the SP.

The resolution authorizing the Mayor does not necessarily mean an approval of the Taculing site, but only to expedite the process of securing a loan for the project, he said. They want to determine who among the two branches of government has the authority to determine the site, he added.

Councilor Greg Gastaya suggested that a joint executive-legislative consultation be held in line with all the pending correspondences and other concerns previously raised regarding the site chosen by the Mayor.

Espino also suggested that only objections which are valid and have technical basis should be considered. He said they will consult City Administrator Lorendo Dilag for the schedule of the joint executive-legislative consultation.

Leonardia issued Executive Order No. 6 on March 14, ordering the construction of a city government center in Brgy. Taculing.

The Executive Order is based on SP Resolution No. 96 dated Jan. 26, "declaring the inadequacy of the present City Hall site and declaring the need for another site to augment the present site."

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Renecito Novero said that ever since he had suggested that the one-stop-shop should be a government center and not a city hall. "Because if we transfer the seat of government, it might jeopardize our interest in the present venue of the City Hall because there is a condition in the deed of donation," he said. However, the question of where it will be constructed is a different matter, he added.*CGS

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