Sison, in a phone interview yesterday, said a consultation for the sports facility had been held in Baguio City last September. He added that village chiefs, non-governmental organizations and officials had attended the meeting organized by the city planning office.
Sison said the mayor had tackled the project with the Development Council of Angeles City while the members of the city council had been properly informed.
He added that the city government had consulted the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in connection with the loan for the project.
“The DBM approved it based on our borrowing capacity. Everything was done above board,” said Sison, reacting to statements of Councilor Willie Rivera that the multi-million loan for the project would deplete the finances of the city.
He disclosed that the facility will have a 4000-seat gym, multi-purpose hall, 2000-seating capacity grandstand, oval, Olympic swimming pool, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts and two sepak takraw courts and parking spaces, among others.
Sison said they had to use the six-hectare lot donated by the Jao family in Pandan in one year’s time otherwise it will be forfeited.
Last Friday, Barangay Captain Rodelio “Tony” Mamac sponsored a resolution asking for the junking of the project. It was signed by at least 21 village chiefs.
Sison said some of the signatories of Resolution 33 had signed the documents without “knowing its content.” He added that they vowed to retract their support to the resolution against the sports complex sponsored by Mamac.
“Others had apologized,” he added.
