Group wants Banaue parking building stopped

BANAUE, Ifugao, Philippines – A group of village officials has asked a local court to stop the construction of a P55-million parking building in this town due to irregularities.

Fernando Bahatan and Elizeo Fermin, chairmen of Barangays Poblacion and Kinapin, respectively, filed a petition on July 14 asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order on the construction of the seven-story building.

The petitioners said they do not oppose the project, but questioned the source of the funds and the area where the building would be constructed.

They said the site was a slope that has been refilled to create a flat area. They said the building would block the scenery and no consultation was conducted among the residents.

The petitioners questioned the alleged use of the municipal development fund as collateral for the P55-million loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines to finance the project.

They said the loan would accrue interest amounting to P27 million and is payable within 15 years.

“If the building will not generate the profit that they projected, they will use the funds intended for the development of the communities to pay the loan,” Bahatan said.

He said the project site is the only open space in Barangay Poblacion that has been used by the local government in celebrating its festivals and other cultural and traditional rituals that draw local and foreign tourists. 

Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog said it took them years to study the project and secure the permits for its construction.

Dalipog said Bahatan was one of the signatories for the project.

“If they have any problems with the project, why didn’t they say anything during the planning? They were informed about the project,” Dalipog said.

He said soil tests were properly conducted to ensure the safety of the project and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would not have issued an environment compliance certificate if it is not safe.