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City
Mayor Dan Lim yesterday declared that he will subject the
new city growth center to a referendum to allow the people
the opportunity to take part in the decision-making process.
The
new growth center concept had been questioned by some city
residents whose lots are within the project area including
a group of geodetic engineers who expressed doubts over the
project's feasibility.
Speaking
during his weekly "Mayor's Report" over dyRD, Lim
said that the development program would be pursued only if
it gets the support and confidence of Tagbilaran residents.
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The
mayor said he wants the issue discussed thoroughly particularly
the pros and cons of the project so the people will
understand it clearly.
Lim
revealed that the project, which will be the centerpiece
of the city's development thrust in the next 20 years,
will require some P350-million for the land acquisition
component alone.
He
said the project will require 12.5 hectares for the
road network while another 12 hectares will be set aside
for the industrial zone.
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Lim
said this requirement will need a sizable appropriation so
that the city will be able to offer a good price for the lot
owners.
"This
is to show our respect for the land owners who will be required
to give up their lands for the said purpose. Let us bear in
mind that they did not offer their lands, it is the city that
requested for this," he revealed.
The
total cost of the project will run up to P750-million, the
mayor bared.
Due
to the size of the project and the amount involved, the city
will have to enter into a loan to finance the new growth center,
Lim said.
A
copy of the new growth center development implementation strategies
provided to the Chronicle showed that the loan will require
payment amounting to 8-percent annually for 15 years.
This
means that the city will be paying P28-million every year
for interest alone.
Lim
however pointed out that there is no such thing as a free
ride in this world and that a project of this magnitude will
require sacrifices and sound financial management.
He
admitted that it is not easy to enter into a loan, the reason
why he did not want the city to borrow in his first three
years.
"It
is not because the city cannot pay but because I have to pay
off the loans that I inherited from the previous administrations.
While I am not aware how those loans were spent, I am obligated
to pay them as part of my responsibilities," the mayor
added.
The
mayor said the city is like a man who has to cross a deep
cliff because he is being chased by wild animals. To be able
to do that however, he has to walk across a single piece of
wood.
"He
needs to walk across slowly because he might fall into the
cliff. On the other hand, if he won't cross it, the wild animals
will be able to catch up with him," he said.
Lim
said progress is waiting on the other side but crossing the
cliff is dangerous.
He
stressed that if the city will not do this now, the problems
due to past failures like traffic
because of undersized streets, flash floods due to the absence
of a drainage system and the failure to attract investors
who will improve the economy and the people's lives will catch
up with Tagbilaran.
"In
all this, let us bear in mind that we are doing all of this
for the next generation," Lim pointed out.
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