SAMAL, Bataan- A group of senior and concerned citizens in Samal town on Thursday protested against the authority given by the Sangguniang Bayan to the municipal mayor to enter into a loan agreement with the Land Bank that will involve reportedly some P20 million for the perimeter fencing of the public market and other projects.
Macario Orpiano, spokesman of concerned citizens, said that the municipal government should instead focus its resources on the health and education needs and beneficial infrastructure projects for its poor constituents than embarking on another loan.
He said the municipal government has still an unpaid obligation of P11 million after it borrowed P24 million for the purchase of a lot and the construction of the Samal public market
“Tutol ang may 2,000 tao na pumirma sa isang petisyon laban sa muling pag-utang ng munisipyo sapagka’t may utang pa itong P11 milyon at masasakripisyo ang mga ibang mahahalagang pangangailangan ng maraming mahihirap na mamamayan,” the spokesman said.
Ador Bangco, vice-president of the Federation of Senior Citizens, charged that the municipal health center most often gives only prescription to poor residents. “Ang kailangan ng mamamayan hindi lamang reseta kundi sapat na gamot kesa dito sa sinasabing pagbabakod ng palengke,” he said.
He also told the municipal councilors in the special session to help poor farmers instead of embarking on another big loan. “Dapat ang mga proyektong may buweltang maganda sa mamamayan,” Bangco said.
Former Vice-Mayor Aida Macalinao said the project should be delayed first and instead concentrate on the basic needs of the residents like proper garbage disposal, free medicines in the health center and assistance to farmers and fishermen.
“Hindi bakod ng palengke ang kailangan kundi kabuhayan,” placards read.
Vice-Mayor Jun Espino said the protesters asked the SB to rescind the authority it gave to Mayor Rolando Tigas. “Humihingi kami ng kaunting panahon para maisama ang mga reklamo sa aming pag-aaral at maging objective ang disisyon ng konseho,” he said.
Espino explained that the mayor has asked for the authority to enter into a loan agreement with Land Bank to implement market improvement like the perimeter fencing of its four-hectare area, provision of roll-up doors to the stalls and construction of access road to the cold storage in Barangay Tabing-Ilog and embankment in two nearby fishponds.
“Sa tingin ni Mayor Tigas, mas maraming lalapit na mga investors sa palengke kung secured ito,” he said. The vice-mayor said the municipality is entitled to a loanable amount of more or less P25 million.
He said the public market has an income of P100,000 monthly. Protesters claimed the municipal government pays more or less P400,000 monthly for the P24-million loan it got for the construction of the market and lot purchase.
Gregorio Ortiguerra, president of Samal market stall holders, said they wanted the fencing of the market as security to their investments and to shoo away people using the market for their drinking sessions and other activities during the night.
Macario Orpiano, spokesman of concerned citizens, said that the municipal government should instead focus its resources on the health and education needs and beneficial infrastructure projects for its poor constituents than embarking on another loan.
He said the municipal government has still an unpaid obligation of P11 million after it borrowed P24 million for the purchase of a lot and the construction of the Samal public market
“Tutol ang may 2,000 tao na pumirma sa isang petisyon laban sa muling pag-utang ng munisipyo sapagka’t may utang pa itong P11 milyon at masasakripisyo ang mga ibang mahahalagang pangangailangan ng maraming mahihirap na mamamayan,” the spokesman said.
Ador Bangco, vice-president of the Federation of Senior Citizens, charged that the municipal health center most often gives only prescription to poor residents. “Ang kailangan ng mamamayan hindi lamang reseta kundi sapat na gamot kesa dito sa sinasabing pagbabakod ng palengke,” he said.
He also told the municipal councilors in the special session to help poor farmers instead of embarking on another big loan. “Dapat ang mga proyektong may buweltang maganda sa mamamayan,” Bangco said.
Former Vice-Mayor Aida Macalinao said the project should be delayed first and instead concentrate on the basic needs of the residents like proper garbage disposal, free medicines in the health center and assistance to farmers and fishermen.
“Hindi bakod ng palengke ang kailangan kundi kabuhayan,” placards read.
Vice-Mayor Jun Espino said the protesters asked the SB to rescind the authority it gave to Mayor Rolando Tigas. “Humihingi kami ng kaunting panahon para maisama ang mga reklamo sa aming pag-aaral at maging objective ang disisyon ng konseho,” he said.
Espino explained that the mayor has asked for the authority to enter into a loan agreement with Land Bank to implement market improvement like the perimeter fencing of its four-hectare area, provision of roll-up doors to the stalls and construction of access road to the cold storage in Barangay Tabing-Ilog and embankment in two nearby fishponds.
“Sa tingin ni Mayor Tigas, mas maraming lalapit na mga investors sa palengke kung secured ito,” he said. The vice-mayor said the municipality is entitled to a loanable amount of more or less P25 million.
He said the public market has an income of P100,000 monthly. Protesters claimed the municipal government pays more or less P400,000 monthly for the P24-million loan it got for the construction of the market and lot purchase.
Gregorio Ortiguerra, president of Samal market stall holders, said they wanted the fencing of the market as security to their investments and to shoo away people using the market for their drinking sessions and other activities during the night.
