SAKSI Terminal operation illegal
The “former political has-been” has refuted accusations that he is a bully, anti-business and anti-poor for running after the three big developers that bought lots at the South Road Properties (SRP). He said he is not that kind of person. He is running after the SRP lot buyers because he is anti-corruption.
These companies, he added, cheated the city government when they purchased the lots under the Rama administration. And when they operated their businesses, they again cheated the city government of the rightful collection of taxes by under-declaring their income.
What? He is anti-corruption? Sus, morag akoy giluod sa iyang gisulti. What anti-corruption is he talking about when corruption is being committed under his administration?
What about the operation of a V-hire terminal and an oil depot at the site of the old Citicenter market in Barangay Kamagayan? Isn’t it corruption and abuse of authority when it is being allowed to operate without following legal procedures? Who allowed it? Who gave it a permit to operate? Who imposed the rental rate and where does the collection go?
Before a transport terminal can operate in the city, it should follow procedures mandated by City Ordinance No. 1958, which amended City Ordinance No. 1773. Ordinance 1958 was passed and approved in 2003 when the “former political has-been” was mayor. Maybe this person is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease because he forgot what he approved then.
Here’s the procedure. The application must be referred to and reviewed and approved by the terminal accreditation committee chaired by the City Administrator. The accreditation committee will then refer the matter to the city council, which will approve the application. The city council passes a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract or memorandum of agreement with the operator of the terminal.
Section 6 of the ordinance states: “No terminal shall start operation unless and until a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) shall have been entered between the city of Cebu and the terminal management duly signed by the respective representatives. The MOA shall contain the name of the terminal and exact location and other regulatory fees.”
These were not followed because only one person approved it. Also, oil depot has no environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), especially because the area is considered as residential.
But you know why this terminal was allowed to operate despite its non-compliance of numerous requirements? Because the operator is a political supporter who is also into the Butane refilling business. This person allegedly supplied him for free with Butane products during the 2013 election. And now they are saying that the terminal operation is only an experimental? Experimental sa ilang mata?
But Lacson said the impeachment complaint needs the votes of onethird of the House members to be sent to the Senate for trial Isn’t it corruption and abuse of authority when it is being allowed to operate without following legal procedures?