CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city council on Monday, September 25, deferred the proposed ordinance allowing the city government to discuss a loan for the land acquisition and development for the new city hall complex, saying “it is not urgent” and many questions should be raised.
Councilor Agapito Eriberto Suan, who abstained from proposed Ordinance No. 2023-310, said there is no way to prioritize the transfer of city hall considering the pressing issues – socialized housing, traffic, flood control, employment, and social services, among others – that the city government is facing and should put into focus.
The proposed site for the city hall complex is located in Barangay Carmen, one of the biggest villages here, with a total land area of 292,350 square meters, but the proposed area needed for public purposes is only more or less 229,043 square meters. Councilor Jose Pepe Abbu Jr. moved the proposed ordinance for deferment as he wanted to ask the local finance committee about the selling price of the land, saying that the offer-to-sell amount, based on the City Appraisal Committee’s report, is P6,500 per square meter but the Bureau of Internal Revenue zonal value is only worth P3,500 per square meter.
Despite Uy certifying the proposed ordinance as urgent, Abbu didn’t see any urgency in the matter, as it wouldn’t bring any harm if the legislative department approved it at a later time and once it is clarified.