Baguio dads approve terms of reference for Athletic Bowl development
2 MIN READ
By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY — The Term of Reference (TOR) for the development of the Baguio Athletic Bowl was approved after an 8-4 vote by the members of the City Council.
Councilors Richard Cariño, Philian Weygan-Allan, Nicasio Aliping, Nicasio Palaganas, Joel Alangsab, Elmer Datuin, Erdolfo Balajadia and Fred Bagbagen voted for the approval. Councilors Isabelo Cosalan, Peter Fianza, Karminn Yangot and Edison Bilog on the other hand voted against. Councilors Perlita Chan-Rondez and Betty Lourdes Tabanda were not around during the votation
According to Council Committee on Laws chairman Richard Cariño, a bidding should take place prior to the process for the development but after passing through offices and bodies like the City Development Council (CDC), the Regional Development Council (RDC), Investment Committee and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). He stressed that there were no anomalies in the TOR’s approval.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan welcomed the approval of the TOR. He said that it will be brought back to the technical working group for the preparation of a feasibility study. He added that it will again be referred to the members of the City Council for the conduct of a public hearing to draw its social acceptability.
He said that the process will be tedious and irregularities will not be allowed.
Cariño said they are requiring any interested investor to develop the Athletic Bowl to pass another round of scrutiny and inquiry for approval by the members of the City Council before a signing of a contract by the executive department.
He emphasized the point that approving the TOR does not mean they are already approving any development and any contract entered into by the city government. He said that the council’s motion can never be a done deal as said in the privilege speech of Councilor Edison Bilog in one of the council’s regular sessions.
Meanwhile, Councilor Peter Fianza reminded fellow councilors that the city government has not yet approved the master plan created by the University of the Cordilleras as it does not include the proposed development are of the Athletic Bowl and the old City Auditorium. He said the City is still referring developments on the Burnham master plan provided by Architect Ignacio Estipona. # nordis.net
