BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan vetoed a resolution of the city council authorizing the use of the Ganza parking area along Harrison road for amusement and carnival operations, saying that the approval of the same would contract the earlier identified purpose of the area as a pay parking facility under the administration of the city government.
In vetoing Resolution No. 052, series of 2015 that authorized the use of the parking facility for amusement and carnival operations, Domogan pointed out the Ganza area has been previously identified as a parking area and there is no question that parking is a continuing urgent need in the central business district area.
“There is no terms of reference where we can base how much the operator will pay to the city government,” Domogan stated in his message submitted to the city council |Tuesday.
Even granting that we can utilize the said area for amusement rides and activities, the local chief executive asserted that the local government cannot do the same alone without prior bidding pursuant to the supposed approved terms of reference as required by Republic Act (RA|) 9184 or the Government Procurement Act.
According to him, there are serious issues regarding the track record or experience of Septem Adamas Corporation to operate fun rides, amusement and other carnival-like activities which led the committee to manifest its serious concern on public safety which is not answered by the city council.
“We likewise consulted the office of the city auditor and it has given us a categorical answer that the use of the Ganza parking area for amusement purposes cannot be done without the terms of reference and bidding to determine the best offer to the local government,” Domogan stated.
He suggested to the city council that concerned departments of the city government immediately craft the terms of reference that will cover a longer period that will clearly spell out the details of how the Ganza area can be operated through public-private partnership and bid it out at the earliest possible time.
Earlier, the city council approved Resolution No. 052, series of 2015 authorizing Septem Adamas Corporation to operate the Ganza parking area formerly operated by the Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation as a pay parking facility as an amusement center for the conduct of fun rides and carnival-like activities within a 3-month period from April to June this year.
Domogan stood firm on his earlier pronouncement that the area should be only be used as a pay parking facility for the city’s off-street parking requirements and for all concerned sectors to await the final decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on the motion for execution filed by Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation on how the area will be utilized in the future.
He explained there is still a pending legal issue to be resolved by the SC that is why any activity by any of the parties involved in the case might result to further delays on the possible takeover of the city government on the operation of the property as a pay parking facility in order to effectively and efficiently address the parking problems of the local government within the central business district area.
Domogan cited the local government will not give up the use of the Ganza area as a pay parking facility. By Dexter A. See
