MikeLigalig.com

By Bohol Chronicle
Written By Ven rebo Arigo

Mayor Dan Lim earned the brunt of fellow mayors for unceasingly capitalizing on a "ghost" resolution of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Bohol Chapter asking P1million for each town from the provincial government's 20-percent development fund as political issue against the governor.

The city mayor tried to create a scenario putting Governor Edgar Chatto to bad light despite the solid support of the town mayors to the provincial leadership.

It surprised LMP-Bohol president, Loay Mayor Rosemarie Imboy, why the city mayor exaggerated it and even used it to justify his intriguing demand to get hold of the funds.

The city mayor had long been threatening even his own barangay leaders who would turn to Chatto for assistance.

Imboy assailed the "malicious" use of the "spurious" copy of the resolution, which Lim got hold of, considering that LMP has not released any copy of the resolution to anybody, not even the governor to whom it was addressed.

Imboy said the league takes exception to any grand design to belittle the credibility and malign the good image of the present Capitol leadership.

For her, it is entirely wrong and misleading to even think that the LMP resolution is a manifestation of Bohol town mayors' discontent in Chatto's management of the province.

Imboy said she respects whatever the city mayor's opinion may be, but she asserted against putting malice into the LMP move.

The LMP president said she has not authorized anybody to release a copy of the resolution which was passed in the meeting of LMP in August as more of a "parayeg (request), and not a demand" to the governor.

The mayors understand, too, the impact of the reduction of the internal revenue allotment (IRA) for the province next year as what will similarly happen to the IRA of the LGUs.

It is natural for LGU officials to ask but they adhere to doing it "in appropriate ways" and Chatto always welcome them.

Capitol has instituted a consultative management system, including the process of project and fund identification and prioritization.

The LMP measure was passed supposedly on motion of Dimiao Mayor Sylvia Adame but who, in a phone call, could not recall having done so.

She could also not remember an instance that the LMP passed such resolution and a check on the records of the LMP might clarify things.

Adame disclosed that Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes, the LMP executive vice president, had earlier called and inquired from her because he could not remember, too, that the league made such move.

Notwithstanding, Adame cited Chatto's sustained laudable programs cascaded to the LGUs like the HEAT Bohol caravans and other projects pursuant to the province's overarching development agenda.

Being the LMP secretary, Mabini Mayor Ester Tabigue, could not remember any copy being released, not even to the governor.

Imboy herself confirmed that she has not submitted the resolution to the governor as they (mayors) realized, later after its passage, that Chatto has accommodated LGU proposals which are equivalent to even more than their request from the 20-percent development fund and other sources.

For one, the provincial government has extended huge funds as counterpart for essential projects in municipalities under the Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) program.

GOOD FAITH

Since it was never given any serious consideration, some mayors could no longer remember that such move was even made, but Imboy explained that it resolution was passed "ïn good faith" and never did they expected the city mayor to capitalize on it.

The town mayors expressed lament that the city mayor attempted to spoil or exploit their gesture of trust for the "kindness of the governor."

The measure could easily pass since no mayor would dislike development assistance, they said.

To recall, the city mayor "demanded" in his harshly-worded letter to the governor for a share in the 20-percent development fund, even "putting on record" that he was at the same time asking for the shares of the 47 towns.

According to a former DILG director, it is up to the mayor to ask the development council to include in the provincial development plan a project he wants for his city or town.

RICO: NO LEGAL BASIS

In a meeting at People's Mansion, Rep. Erico Aumentado recounted that he had stressed during his stint as governor that sharing equally the 20-percent development fund DF has no legal basis.

His statement supports Chatto's position made known last week in response to Lim's demand.

Thus, Aumentado said he had directed his development funds, in the case of Tagbilaran, to the barangays in the city during his governorship

On the other hand, the Tagbilaran Liga ng mga Barangay president Faro Cabalit and other barangay leaders could only hope that Lim would equally share the city's own 20-percent development fund to all the barangays.

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