ULAP convenes early December on Cha-cha

Local government units remain unfazed by the recent Supreme Court’s decision, which junked the People’s Initiative for Charter Change. And the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines will gather early next month to discuss their next step to push through with the amendment of the Constitution, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas.

Trenas is also president of the League of Cities of the Philippines. LCP is an affiliate of ULAP.

The ULAP meet will decide on which of two possible options to amend the basic charter they will choose — the Constituent Assembly or the Constitutional Convention.

The ULAP meet will be either on Dec. 6 to 7. Trenas, however, did not say where the national conference will be held.

Trenas, who favors constitutional change stressed that since the high tribunal had junked the people’s initiative, "we have to sit down again and map out our next moves for the constitutional change."

But with the House apparently bent on pushing through with its own version of how to go about it, the most likely thing is that ULAP will try to support it by mobilizing their local constituents to support the House action.

But even before the ULAP meet, Trenas said he is scheduling a meeting of the members of the LCP. Thus, he said, the city mayors shall have decided before the meet what options they wish to endorse.

ULAP is headed by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado.

Meanwhile, Senate President Manuel Villar said in Iloilo that the House move to convene a constituent assembly by themselves is unconstitutional.

Villar was in Iloilo City Thursday to accompany his daughter. Camille, who launched a massive feeding program in Jaro district for some 2,516 day-care children of the district’s 42 barangays.

Negros chapter of the Architects of the Philippines and those of Bacolod have raised their concern over the bidding process for the construction of the proposed government center for Bacolod City.

Former Bacolod vice mayor Ramiro Garcia, however, stressed that the group is not opposed to the realization of the project. But he questions the processes used by the Bids and Awards Committee. That reportedly affects the profession of architects.

In short, Garcia contends that an architectural design should be done through competition or direct election and not by bidding.

They also questioned the competence and qualifications of those who evaluated the conceptual design submitted by the bidders.

They also claimed that prospective bidders were not given ample time to come up with a functional design. They also questioned the issue of the basis for the P400-million proposed cost of the project.

Vice Mayor Renecito Novero said the SP will study more thoroughly the issue before tackling it.

The problem with the issue is that Mayor Evelio Leonardia has used strong language against those questioning the project, at one time calling it as a sabotage attempt.

The Gonzaga family, which donated the high-end five hectare lot under Villa Angela Estate, had stressed in the deed of donation that the lot will revert to them unless the city can start work on the project by the end of December.

And while Bacolod folks, are debating the issue of the government center in Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas is predicting or envisioning the rise of a new city in the 54-hectare Manduriao airport in Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara.

The linchpin of Trenas’ vision is the study by Richard Ellis, the consultant who had developed the Clark and Fort Bonifacio bases.

The proposal calls for a mixed development of a commercial and residential area which will be sold to private investors.

The proposed business hub will have an information technology center, medical tourism facility, a government center. It will also boast of a theme park for recreational activities, Trenas said.

The Iloilo mayor admitted the city, the regional capital of Western Visayas, lacks a recreation park.

He envisions something similar to the Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna to attract people from nearby provinces. In short, they will go to Iloilo City not only to go mall shopping but also to enjoy the theme park, Trenas added.

DOT officials, led by Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and finance undersecretary John Philip Sevilla were to discuss the sale of the old airport.

The cornerstone of the development plan is the offer of lots to private investors. And that is indubitably going to draw in a lot of interested parties.

There is also talk about the establishment of a 2,000 to 5,000 capacity convention center.

Trenas intimated that among the interested developers are Filinvest, Ayala Land, Inc., SM Prime Holdings, Robinson’s Land Corp. and Metro Pacific Co.

More important, according to Trenas, will be the IT Center that will boost job opportunities for Iloilo’s population.

Bacolodnons reacted in fury to the reported renewed activities of the so-called Bonnet gang. Two bonnet-wearing men allegedly abducted and raped a 17-year-old girl in Barangay Alijia, Bacolod, Friday.

The last time that happened was years back when bonnet wearing men also raped a coed near a city mall.

The worst thing is that the men reportedly had another girl in the car they used in abducting the 17-year-old.

She was reportedly taken to a "nipa hut" where she was molested. Later, neighbors and her brother found the girl tied to a eucalyptus tree near their home.

Immediately, local radio stations warned parents to be on the alert to spot the so-called bonnet gang members and to make sure that their female children are escorted.

This was bad news to the new Bacolod police chief. The city recently was been rocked by two killings of couples. And the public had recently started asking questions on why the police seem unable to solve these crimes and arrest the suspects.