Councilor Yevonna Yacine B. Emano questioned the practicality of the city government’s proposed ₱8.5-Billion loan for the planned 22.9-hectare government complex in Uptown Cagayan de Oro, citing the city’s existing financial obligations and unfinished projects.
During the 54th regular session on Monday, Emano cited the 2025 Commission on Audit (COA) report, which she said reflected about ₱3 Billion in city liabilities, including about ₱1.6 billion in project-related obligations.
She questioned the need to contract another substantial loan while several projects funded through the city’s General Fund for 2025 and 2026 remain unfinished.
Among the projects she cited were the Pagatpat Public Market and Macanhan Super Health Center and raised concerns over projects that have been started but remain incomplete or are reportedly being prepared for termination.
She also questioned why contractors and suppliers remain unpaid despite financial statements presented to the laws and rules committee indicating that the city has borrowing capacity.
The councilor raised further concerns about the city’s ability to meet existing financial commitments, including instances when salaries of employees and job order workers were reportedly delayed.
On the proposed government complex, Emano said improved services should not necessarily on constructing a new building, arguing that efficiency is more closely tied to office management and discipline than the age or condition of the facility.
She also flagged the reported increase in the project cost from an earlier ₱2.7 billion estimate. According to Emano, the previous allocation covered around ₱1 billion for the building, ₱250 million for land development, and ₱1.4 billion for property acquisition.
Emano sought clarification on the basis for the nearly threefold increase in the proposed financing, noting that the same property is being considered and that only a portion of the 22.9-hectare site is reportedly buildable due to its terrain.
She also questioned the plan to acquire the entire property when the proposed complex would initially occupy only about three hectares and whether other government agencies had been consulted about putting offices in the area.
The proposed financing will cover land acquisition, site development, building construction, and furniture and fixtures.
The 21st City Council approved Mayor Rolando A. Uy’s urgent request to negotiate with a bank for a loan of up to ₱8.5 billion, with 15 majority councilors voting in favor, three minority members against, and Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez abstaining. (JAO/SP)
PORMAL nga gisugdan ang selebrasyon sa Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month 2026 pinaagi sa usa ka ribbon-cutting ceremony alang sa "GAMA HU HIGAONON," nga nagsentro sa tema "Empowering Indigenous People: strengthening rights, culture and ancestral domain."
Sila si Bise Mayor Bebot Rodriguez ug IPMR Konsehal Datu Roberto Cabaring ang nangulo sa ribbon cutting alang sa maong kalihokan.
Dako ang pasalamat ni Konsehal Cabaring ngadto sa amahan sa dakbayan, Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy, tungod sa makanunayon niining pagtabang ug pagtanyag sa mga maayong plano ug programa alang sa kaayohan sa mga IPs sa syudad.
Gipaabot usab niya ang pagpasalamat ngadto kang Bise Mayor Rodriguez ug sa tibuok konseho sa ilang walay puas nga suporta sa pagpangandam sa maong aktibidad.
Sa iyang pakigpulong, gihisgotan ni Cabaring nga sulod sa tulo ka tuig nga paningkamot ug representasyon sa IPMR, daghan na ang nakab-ot nga kalamposan.
Apan, giangkon ni Cabaring nga dili pa hingpit ang pagkahiusa tungod sa pipila ka mga rason nga anaa ra usab sa ilang mga kauban.
Bisan pa man niini, nagpabilin ang iyang paglaom ug lig-on nga pagsalig pinaagi sa makanunayon nga pagsuporta sa Republic Act 8371 (Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act).
Sumala pa kaniya, kini nga balaod ang magsilbing giya aron mahimong legal, hapsay, ug matinud
-anon ang pagpadagan sa tanan nilang mga buluhaton alang sa kalamboan sa tribo. (JRG/SP)
Twenty-one Korean delegates from South Korea’s travel agencies and media outlets arrived in Cagayan de Oro for the second Korea Familiarization (FAM) Tour, a four-day visit from September 30 to October 3, 2026, to explore tourism destinations in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
The visit is eyed to provide an opportunity to showcase the region’s tourism and business investment opportunities while strengthening connections with the Korean travel market.
The FAM tour is also expected to help promote Cagayan de Oro and other destinations in Region X to the Korean market and encourage greater tourism interest among Korean travelers.
Among the key focus of the discussions was the proposed establishment of direct flights between Laguindingan International Airport and Incheon International Airport, which could improve travel access between South Korea and Northern Mindanao and provide more opportunities to promote the region’s tourism destinations.
Councilor Edgar G. Cabanlas, who attended the gathering, described the reception as a gesture of friendship and hospitality, noting that Cagayan de Oro has been a destination for business and leisure.
Councilor Gilda “Gigi” Go also said that visit could help strengthen camaraderie, tourism, and partnerships between Cagayan de Oro and South Korea. (PGU/SP)
