Lobregat twits IBT critics
Mayor Celso Lobregat convenes a meeting with concerned authorities to discuss about the present situation of the Guiwan bus terminal and the latest development on the proposed IBT project. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday branded as ridiculous some accusations hurled by administration critics concerning the city’s proposed integrated bus terminal following the conflagration that gutted down the Guiwan bus terminal November 2.
On accusations that he violated laws in allowing the use of the city-owned payloader to assist in the clearing operations of the fire debris in Guiwan, Lobregat said he simply acted to help ensure that normal operations are back following the fire incident.
Lobregat said Councilor Abdurahman Nuño aptly answered Councilor Juan Climaco Elago during the Council session last Wednesday that the same situation happened when the Metro Manila area was hit by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. “Even local government units not affected sent their equipment to clear help clear the debris in Metro Manila.”
“Does this mean to say that when there is a fire incident the firemen will have to ask if the burning property is a private property or public property?” the mayor said adding “worst is about the garbage, the trucks are owned by the city but the garbage is thrown by private citizens and yet we use city-owned garbage trucks to collect these wastes”.
On the issue that the city should immediately implement the IBT project even as there are pending cases in court, Lobregat said he would be cited for contempt if he proceeds with the procurement process.
Unlike what other officials in other places and even a former mayor who proceeded their proposed projects even if they were facing charges in court, Lobregat said he cannot implement the IBT as the cases pending with the Regional Trial Court are particularly trying to stop the city from proceeding with the project.
“It is not like a case in the Ombudsman where they charge me for violation of some laws, there is no prohibition for me to continue with the procuring process,” the mayor said.
The charges filed by bidders before the RTC include the prayer for a temporary restraining order which tries to stop the bidding process; a court injunction which prevents him from awarding the contract to some other bidder and mandamus which orders him to proceed with the signing of the contract with the RCDG. “This is a case wherein I cannot proceed with the procurement process until the case is decided.”
The mayor also took potshots at claims that the city is violating an existing ordinance by using the Guiwan area as the bus terminal.
He said ordinance 248 mandates the establishment and operation of the city government owned IBT in the Divisoria-Boalan area but the bus terminal in Guiwan in private owned.
It is because of the ordinance that the city purchased the lot in Divisoria and proposed the implementation of the IBT. However the same is hampered by the charges pending in the court.
“We would be the first ones who want the IBT to be implemented, started and completed, unfortunately there are these cases that hamper the implementation,” the mayor said.
Lobregat yesterday met with provincial bus operators, the owner of the Guiwan bus terminal property, the stall owners in the area, the police and fire probers and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth operations of the terminal following the fire incident last Monday.
During the meeting, the property owner, Mrs. Mary Usman said her family will finance the construction of a permanent covered court for the use of the passengers.
She said the construction of the structure will not prejudice the proposed IBT plan of the city. If and when the city’s IBT project will be constructed and operational, the covered court in her Guiwan property will be used for other purposes. (Sheila Covarrubias)