• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed an appropriation ordinance allocating P1.5 million to pay the documentary stamp tax (DST) and outstanding premiums for the insurance of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) building, from 2013 up to 2017.
The SP, during its regular session this afternoon, Oct. 11, acted on the urgent letter-request of Mayor Alfredo Benitez, dated Oct. 9, to earmark P1,516,277.43, taken from the accumulated prior years surplus…(and) to be used as payment for the outstanding premiums and unpaid DST billed by the Government Service Insurance System.
Atty. Jeremae Ann Ceriaco-Florentino, acting city accountant, said in her letter to Benitez dated Sept. 26 that, as per checking of the billing statement of the BCGC last 2015, no DST was billed to the City Government of Bacolod, only the premium for the insurance of the building. Therefore, I have concluded that the statement of account given to us by the GSIS is correct for the unbilled and unpaid DST”.
The three-storey BCGC building is insured for P350 million, and P55 million for the various equipment, furniture, and fixtures, records show.
Meanwhile, the SP also adopted the committee report submitted by Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the Committee on Laws, Ordinances & Good Government, on the public hearing held with Manokan Country tenants and SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) executives Oct. 10.
The hearing was for the proposed lease agreement between the City Government and SMPHI on the lease and development of an aggregate area of 16,875 square meters, owned by Bacolod, and where the Manokan, Vendors Plaza, and Bacolod Youth and Sports (BAYS) Center, among others, and nearby properties at Fr. Ferrero Street, are located.
The SP is expected to authorize Benitez to sign the lease deal with SMPHI next week. | CGC
