June 23, 2011 -- It is almost a year since the inauguration of the elected municipal officials of Bani, a people's forum was held at the "Freedom Park" to shed lights on what is happening in the municipal government.
Mr. Ronald Catabay acted as the moderator and introduced the speakers, who speaks one after the other, Municipal Councilor Sesinando Estabillo, Municipal Councilor Marianito Castelo, Municipal Councilor John Paul Navarro, Municipal Councilor Wilhelm Aquino and ABC President Marietchu Navarro-Natividad, who reported to the people what is happening in the Sangguniang Bayan and attested that the progress of Bani is being hindered by some menbers of the Sangguniang Bayan.
Atty. Jerpy Erquiza, the Municipal Legal Officer, presented a slideshow entitled "Para Sa Bayan", showing completed projects under the leadership of Mayor Cel Navarro with the previous set of Sangguniang Bayan Members such as the Core Shelter Project in Olanen, the multi-Million Water Impounding Project in Arwas, several Farm-to-Market Roads, Small Water Impounding Projects in Brgys. Tiep, Macabit, Centro Toma, Quinaoayanan and Dacap Norte, Education Programs such as University of the Philippines Open Univarsity (UPOU), Pangasinan State University (PSU) Bani Campus, the Bani Training Center (TESDA). He also showed projects that could have been underway during the present set of Municipal Officials if they work hand in hand, such as the Construction of a Modern and State of the Art Public Market, Memorial Park, Bagsakan Center and Common Terminal, a Green Archeticture Compliant Municipal Hall (renovation) and the franchise of Jollibee and Chowking. These projects could have increase employment oppurtunities for Banians and income for the municipality. Alas! These may not come to fruition!
Mayor Cel Navarro explained in the vernacular (Ilocano) what happened during his first term and compared this to the first year of his second term as Mayor of Bani. Under the term of former Vice Mayor Hannibal Olores, he was able to forge progress ahead, but with the present Sanggunian headed by Vice Mayor Filipina Rivera, he has not made much headway in proposed projects. Even grants already allotted to Bani by the national government are being released instead to other municipalities due to Bani's slow action in providing the required Sangguniang Bayan action.
The People's Forum was held in response to an unsigned 3-page circular entitled: "Katotohanang Walang Pulitika -- Ang Pagsasanla ng Bani". In brief, the circular alleged to readers that the former mayor had left a sum of more that P20M, which the later in turn missused. On top of this, a sum of P70M was being loaned from the Land Bank of the Philippines to finance development projects in Bani but will put Bani in debt, making life more difficult for Banians even unto the next generation.
The mayor responded to the accusations by releasing a circular entitled "Isang Bukas na Liham sa mga Taga Bani" (An Open Letter to the Banians). In this 9-page signed letter, Mayor Cel Navarro aimed to correct the false notions instigated by the other handbill. The highlights of this letter include: (1) how the P23.5M saved by then Mayor Ambet Navarro were accounted for during his term, and (2) how a long list of projects enumerated as accomplished during Mayor Cel's term proves that money is being well spent for the people's welfare and improvement.
During the forum, the issues put forward by circulars were tackled by the various speakers. The notion that it is categorically wrong to make a loan was dispelled by the explanation that it is common practice. Municipalities, even nations, borrow money in order to improve life through government projects. One kagawad explained that, actually, Bani can avail as much as P300M loan because of its good credit rating whilst the amout being loaned was only P70M. He also attested as to how progress in Bani was being hindered through unnecessary demands such as a complete feasibility study of the projects, where in fact, a project profile is only needed, no-shows or inconsistent attendance at the supposed every-Monday session at the Sangguniang Bayan.
At the end of the Mayor's speech, he invited all those in the audience to support the recall of the four (4) Sangguniang bayan Members and the Vice Mayor and to join him in a Solidarity Walk to the local COMELEC office to submit the documents for recall. A large crowd responded to the call of the Mayor and witnessed the submission of the said document. The COMELEC Officials were not present that time so document was handed to the staff. (Elena Villareal)
