The proposed P8.5 Billion financing for the Cagayan de Oro Government Complex does not mean Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy can withdraw the funds from a bank, City Councilor Juancho Pascual clarified.
Pascual, chairperson of the committee on agriculture, fisheries, and aquatic resources, said the resolution only authorizes Mayor Uy to negotiate with financial institutions and explore available financing options for the proposed government complex.
“It (is) not a blank check for ₱8.5 billion,” Pascual said, noting that the city’s financial capacity and the terms of any potential financing would still have to be evaluated.
He said financial institutions have their own approval processes and requirements, including assessments of interest rates, payment terms, repayment schedules, and other conditions.
Pascual also emphasized that any financing arrangement must comply with applicable legal and financial safeguards.
The proposed government complex, based on the feasibility study presented to the City Council, is envisioned to consolidate government offices and improve public service delivery through integrated and digitalized services, adequate transaction areas, improved accessibility, parking and traffic circulation, disaster-resilient facilities, green spaces, and provisions for future expansion.
The proposed site covers around 22.9 hectares and is intended to accommodate the city’s long-term growth.
However, Pascual acknowledged concerns over the project’s estimated cost, saying questions must still be considered regarding the amount to be borrowed, interest rate, repayment period, annual debt payments, and the city’s existing financial obligations.
He said the project’s potential impact on funding for other priorities, including hospitals, roads, agriculture, social services, and disaster response, must also be considered.
While supporting the vision of a government center suited to a growing metropolitan city, Pascual stressed that the project must be affordable, transparent, properly phased, and financially responsible. (PGU/SP)
Councilor Gilda O. Go, chairperson of the City Council committee on senior citizens, joined the kickoff celebration of Elderly Filipino Week 2026, held recently at SM CDO Downtown and led and organized by the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) Regional Office X.
Anchored on the theme, “Nakatatandang Pilipino: May Halaga at Karapatan, May Boses at Ambag sa Bayan,” the celebration recognized the wisdom, dignity, and valuable contributions of senior citizens to their families and communities.
Go expressed her appreciation to the participating senior citizens and delegates from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, as well as the CAFESCA Ensembles, for sharing their talents and making the celebration meaningful.
She likewise thanked the event’s speakers for their inspirational messages and the national government agencies and private-sector partners whose support helped make the activity possible, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), PhilHealth, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Land Bank of the Philippines, SM CDO Downtown, Smart Communications, and the Cagayan de Oro City Government.
Among the guests and speakers were NCSC Commissioner Camilo G. Gudmalin for Regional Offices IX, X, and Caraga; NCSC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Maria Merceditas N. Gutierrez; PhilHealth-X Regional Vice President Henry V. Almanon; SM CDO Downtown Mall Manager Paolo Jesus V. Zulueta; 2nd District of Misamis Oriental Representative Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano, represented by Councilor Yvy Emano; NCSC Regional Director Mary Jean H. Asum; Smart Communications Mindanao Relations Head Judee Caroline Chaves; and DOH CHD-NM Nurse V Gemma A. Simene. (JAO/SP)
Committee on education chairperson Councilor Moreno Y. Daba IV joined the First-Year Orientation and Get-Together (FIOGET) for newly admitted Iskolar sa Dakbayan (ISDA) scholars held at Lourdes College recently.
The activity brought together first-year scholars for an orientation on the City’s scholarship program, including its policies, guidelines, responsibilities, and opportunities available to scholars.
It also provided an opportunity for the new scholars to meet their university scholarship coordinators and City Scholarships Office personnel and to get acquainted with fellow scholars through group discussions and other activities designed to build camaraderie and community among the scholars. (JAO/SP)
