• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Two appropriation ordinances were passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod, on the payment of damages to Sugarland Hotel, among others, and on the grant of uniform/clothing allowance to city employees.
The SP, under suspended rules, passed on first, second, and third reading April 24 an ordinance reverting P57,230,000 from prior years’ unobligated balances to the City Mayor’s Office, with P20 million earmarked for payment of damages to the hotel, P16.5 million for urban planning and design, and P7.5 million as tourism development fund, particularly on the slow food program.
The award of damages in favor of the hotel, including the appraised value of the property, as well as moral and exemplary reparations, and interest each year, involved the case of the demolished fourth floor of Sugarland in 1994.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental, co-case petitioner, already paid more than P11 million in damages last year, after the Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeals decision.
The P1.57 million in clothing allowance, meanwhile, is pursuant to Department of Budget and Management Circular 1, dated April 4, 2024, on the grant of such benefit this year to all civilian government personnel, occupying regular, contractual or casual positions, appointive or elective, and rendering services on full time or parttime basis. | CGC
