Group behind ‘Never Again’ banner has ‘no accreditation’

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebuanos for Good Governance and Development (CGGD) that mounted the huge banner marked with “Never Again” at the Cebu International Convention Center is not among the accredited Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

The Office of Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, the chairman of the PB committee on accreditation, has listed 132 CSOs but only 79 are accredited.

The Province of Cebu has been accrediting CSOs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) who could actively participate in local governance and development processes.

In order to get accreditation, an NGO or PO must comply with the documentary requirements such as letter of application, application for accreditation, Board Resolution and minutes signifying intention for accreditation, profile of the purposes and objectives of the organization; Articles of Incorporation/Cooperation, certificate of good standing from the registering agency,, personal data sheet of responsible officers, financial statement under oath, barangay certification and certificate of accreditation from the city or municipality.

Once complied, Shimura’s committee would recommend for approval of the accreditation.

During the deliberation at the plenary, the PB also requires majority of the officers or board of directors to be present to answer some questions from the PB members before the accreditation is approved or denied.

Governor Hilario Davide III earlier said he did not meet a certain Mariel Kay Estrada, the lead convenor of CGGD.  A certain Reniel Oliva who claimed to be among the convenors also surfaced at the Capitol last Thursday.

A loss for Mandaue

Meanwhile, Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva admitted that the city is losing P2 million per year from permits and other fees of events at what he describes as the “white elephant” CICC.

“Before, kung may concert inside, may pera ang city from amusement tax and permit fees. Any occasion held inside has to have a mayor’s permit. How much nalugi? We don’t know. Previously we earn almost P2 million per year,  and that’s how much we are losing from it, (and that’s not even) everyday ang occasion,” said Oliva.

Oliva did not categorically say he is opposed to the provincial government’s move in allowing the CICC building to deteriorate, but for businesses and both governments who could have earned from it, “it’s a lost opportunity” for them.

The CICC, which was constructed during the administration of then governor Gwendolyn Garcia in 2007, was damaged by the earthquake and by typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Davide has vowed not to repair the building, saying it is a subject of a case for overpricing filed against Garcia.

The CICC sits on a three-hectare lot owned by Mandaue City, which, Oliva said, is now valued at P30,000 per square meter.

Oliva said the city has offered up to P250 million to buy out the property, but the Capitol wants P800 million for it.

“They want us to pay the P800M. Di ko uy, kaguba na ana,” he said.

He said their offer will even go lower if the Capitol continues to allow the building to deteriorate.

“Magkagamay pa gyud na kay wa nay value na’ng building,” he said.

“Daghan offers, as of this date, wa gihapo’y concrete plans. I don’t know why but it has been a sitting white elephant. Sayang, because it could raise revenues for Mandaue City also. It’s an opportunity loss for Mandaue City, “ he said.

The city wants to make it a venue for exhibits of its local products and for other businesses also.

Oliva said “supposedly” it’s a joint partnership between the city and the Capitol, but there has been no papers to support it.

The city was supposed to share for the maintenance of the building, as earlier agreed before the building was constructed, but since it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Oliva said “we can’t give anything to an unregistered (entity) or to something that does not exist.”

“The partnership is just mura ra siya’g partnership of two leaders but not formalized. It’s being formalized by the construction of an edifice but not in ink,” he said.

He said the city “still owns the lot” as it did not donate the land to the Capitol.

“Si former governor  Garcia is facing a case. Pero as to the property, di man sa giingun nga tungod sa case himuon og white elephant. It is still a public property; it should remain that way,” he said.  — Gregg M. Rubio and Liv G. Campo/NSA (FREEMAN)