Debt-free Cebu province facing a P261-M bill.
Darien Miller
18 July 2008
The boast of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in her State of the Province Address ( SOPA ) of a debt-free province was challenged by long-time critic Crisologo Saavedra. In reply, Capitol specialist Rory John Sepulveda related technically, the governor was right. "When ( the governor ) claimed that we do not have a debt, that could be a fact. Wala pay desisyon ang korte so dili na utang ( The court hasn't yet rendered a call on the claims so that can't be considered a debt ) " he revealed. Saavedra earlier expounded the governor lied about the province's fiscal standing in her SOPA address on July ten. Saavedra has filed graft cases against the governor over the CICC. Sepulveda expounded in the event the court rules against Cebu province, the govt can afford to pay the amount. "We don't have to make a loan to pay the P261 mill as the province has a surplus of over P1 billion" he announced. Sepulveda claimed the Cebu provincial presidency just wants to make sure that payment was correct to guard Cebuano taxpayers. He announced like WT Construction, the Cebu provincial regime wants the court to quickly resolve the case so they can implement what he called "little changes" on the CICC building. "What Cebu wishes are bigger halls for trade carnivals and heavy hardware display" he announced. Governor Garcia recounted in her SOPA the CICC earned P32.25 m. from Jan 2007 to June 2008. She claimed the CICC, situated in the Mandaue town reclamation area, served as venue for 237 events like exhibitions, local and world conventions and conventions among others. Garcia recounted the CICC's presence led to the corporation of a nearby mall. There is also ongoing construction for a hostel close to the suggested boardwalk. The governor further said the CICC served as a "catalyst of growth" for Mandaue town's reclamation area and Cebu province. Sepulveda expounded they've been receiving suggestions from assorted quarters to allot more display spaces at the CICC to replace some of its meeting rooms. He claimed the CICC is less expensive in lease and more accessible compared to other convention centers found within SM mall and at the Waterfront hostel. Sepulveda claimed it was also proposed to open a heavy lift on its back portion to permit the entry for items on show. Earlier, autos for an automobile show and furniture for a fair placed on view at the CICC were made to pass thru its main entrance. This resulted to damages on some floor tiles, Sepulveda asserted.
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