LGU AKLAN BORROWS P200 MILLION

LGU AKLAN BORROWS P200 MILLION

By Janica Anne L. dela Pena

Through the urgent request of Hon. Florencio T. Miraflores, Provincial Gov. of Aklan, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan  (SP) of Aklan approved Supplemental Budget No. 1 appropriating P200 million  for various infrastructure projects. The approval of Appropriation Ordinance No. 001, Series of 2014 was done during the Aklan SP’s 22^nd Regular Session.

The P200 million supplemental budget will be spent for the construction of the office of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan – P45 million; for the construction of commercial building and academic center (Phase II) – P30 million; for the purchase of maintenance/construction/dredging Equipment – P80 million; for the improvement of capitol main building (Phase IV) – P25 million; for the improvement of the Trade Hall building – P12 million; and for the improvement of the Cagban Terminal Building, Caticlan, Malay – P8 million.

Citing its urgency for passage, Governor Florencio T. Miraflores endorsed the supplemental budget for SP approval which will be funded out of the proceeds of loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

It was on November 6, 2013 when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Resolution No. 126, Series of 2013, granting the authority to Governor Miraflores to negotiate and enter into a contract of loan with the Land Bank of the Philippines at a total amount of P200 million for various infrastructures and purchases of equipment.

The provincial government of Aklan has a standby credit facility to the total amount of P650 million with the LBP.

During the said regular session, SP member Lilian Q. Tirol stated that the executive and judiciary buildings have been already constructed leaving the legislative building behind. She also added that it’s about time to construct the office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan since it will not only benefit the 13 SP members but the whole constituency in the municipalities of Aklan.

SP member Plaridel M. Morania, one of the longest staying members in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said that it is urgent to construct an office for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. “Records are being lost every time calamity or typhoon strikes since there is no proper place to keep the records safe in the present office; that the construction will provide each SP member his/her own office for them to be accessible to his/her constituents of the Province,” Morania pointed out.

The construction of the legislative building is appropriated with the total amount of P45 million out of the total loan proceeds.

After a long discussion, the presiding officer, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo divided the house on the issue. The Ordinance was passed with a final vote of 9 to 1. It was only SP member Rodson F. Mayor who voted “no”. /MP