Tabuk City, Kalinga – Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod moved to invite key officials from the executive department and the XRC Mall Developer Inc. to answer the queries of the Bulanao Public Market Stall Owners and Vendors and Consumers Association (BPMSOVCA) regarding the recently unloaded construction materials at the Bulanao Public Market.
The materials sparked alarm because they are believed to be for the pre-construction phase of the mall after the demolition of the Bulanao Public Market.
On October 14, 2021, the market group went to protest at the Davidson Hotel, where the regular City Council session was held holding placards showing their support for development but opposition to demolishing the market in favor of a private corporation. The group were later asked to join the session to air their concerns.
Motion of Councilor Martinez Vicente
In a motion, Councilor Martinez Vicente asked that representatives from the Mayor’s Office, City Legal Office, City Engineering, City Planning and Development Office, City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, representatives from the XRC Mall Developer Inc. and barangay Bulanao Centro will clarify on the issues raised by the Bulanao Public Market Stall Owners and Vendors and Consumers Association who were represented through their legal counsel Atty. Errol Comafay Jr.
The concerned offices shall have to answer questions about the delivery of said materials and the issues raised regarding the compliance of the developer to the provisions of the Lease Contract during the Regular Session on October 21, 2021.
Atty. Comafay's observations
Earlier this week before the session, Comafay wrote a letter to the august body stating that his clients are asking for the intervention of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to investigate the delivery of construction materials at the Bulanao Public Market.
The BPMSOVCA claimed that according to officials from Barangay Bulanao Centro, the materials will be used for the construction of the mall inside the public market.
Comafay cited his observations asking why there is construction considering that several provisions of the contract of lease have not yet been complied with, such as the issuance of a building permit.
Comafay disclosed that City Buildings and Architecture Officer Ruby Peter Albert himself said that it was not yet issued. The lawyer also cited other provisions of the lease of contract that the developer has yet to comply with.
“Ada ti oversight functions yu apo kokonsehal, usaren tayo,” he said, voicing out that even the city government heavy equipment is being unitized by the developer to unload the materials, which is not supposed to be.
“Nu talaga kayat dakami nga tulungan, pangaasi yu, ipaayab yu isuda dituy session ta sungbatan da dagiti damag mi,” he added, which eventually made the council decide to nod with the request.
As recalled, the Bulanao Market group strongly opposed the putting up of a mall, especially this time of pandemic, since the move, according to other people, is that “development” is anti-poor.
Instead of pursuing the construction of a mall, the Bulanao Market group said they said can fund the development of the market instead of handing control of the public market to a private developer for 25 years or more.
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