Overtaking the Overtaker

Setting Some Priorities...

The issue on the Php2.7 million proposed budget of the Environmental Training Center has been into circulation and caught the attention of many. It started when Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria got the idea about the exact money of Php2,796,571.90 million from the City Treasury. Such was actually the savings from the city development fund left during the Agustin Perdices’ administration.

Sagarbarria then proposed the account to the City Development Council (CDC) to decide on what they can recommend for the next project of the city to set a priority. In return, CDC recommended that the city will have to build an Environmental Training Center to be installed within the city hall office beside the COA office. CDC even reasoned that this take about to answer pre-disaster necessities in environmental protection.

With that, CDC passed a resolution in February regarding the matter. However, three of the councilors of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, known fiscalizers namely Antonio Remollo, Manuel Arbon, and Kenneth Arbas have opposed to the proposed project. They have doubts on the real account of the project – questioning its intension and the absence of a program of work.

That’s why a session is called which gave notice to the CDC and the city major to be present for the question hour to explain the council’s action. But the city mayor did not appear because, Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova, who called for the meeting, is a co-equal officer and some councilors themselves. And Cordova apologized in public his wrong move with regards to the agenda of the session which Sagarbarria openly accepted.

This was believed to be one current big issue in the local government of Dumaguete City. The three councilors who did not approve the resolution with the utilization of the Php2.7 million worth of Environmental Training Center priority over the councilors’ choice which is the improvement of the garbage disposal and dumpsite.

The bottom line here is the big question of the three fiscalizers on the Php2.7 million Environmental Training Center of which is still on the council for further talk now. But as to whether the savings is utilized to build a project for a Environmental Training Center or to improve the system on the garbage disposal and dumpsite, the aim or purpose of both is still the same, they just wanted the services and the money to be used and to be fitted appropriately. 

It’s just a matter of time while actions have to reasonable enough. Everyone has to stand as one in this venture to meet the same purpose to this ever-challenging government!