• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Land Bank of the Philippines has already released P292.4 million of the P1.1 billion loan secured from them by the Silay City government, for three mega projects, revealed the bank’s vice president, Allan Bisnar, during a congressional inquiry conducted by the Committee on Public Accounts on November 11 at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
Bisnar told the committee led by Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, also designated the caretaker of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, that the Land Bank released P74.9 million on September 6 this year, for the construction of Silay New Government Center, the first release of P44.9 million for the repair and renovation of the public market, and P172.4 million for the Silay City College, with 50 percent completion.
The P1.1 billion loan of Silay City government, according to Bisnar, is composed of P500 million earmarked for its New Government Center, and P300 million each for the renovation and repair of the public market and construction of Silay City College.
The inquiry was conducted, in aid of legislation, in response to complaints filed against Mayor Joedith Gallego and other Silay City officials before the Ombudsman, on alleged irregularities in connection with the implementation of three mega projects.
Gallego maintained that there were no irregularities in the implementation of those projects by his administration.
He alleges that the complaints forwarded to the Committee on Public Accounts are politically motivated.
Members of the committee were also surprised at the total project cost of P316.9 million for the New Government Center, but the bid of the winning contractor was almost P500 million.
Paduano also noted some violations in the construction of New Government Center, which started two months ago, but without a building permit.*
