Local News: City Officials No Show on SP Hearing on CCTV Purchase

Bacolod City government officials were no-show in the public hearing on the CCTV acquisition issue requested by former Leonardia loyalist, pastor and head of a non-government organization (NGO) Romy Niere, who denied as claimed by Bacolod Mayor Leonardia, that he had tried to obtain the latter’s consent for the broadcaster as well, to bag the project for personal gain. Niere then wrote Councilor Archie Baribar, chairman of the Human Rights Committee, to clarify the issues concerned by holding a public hearing and a probe on the matter. This is the second time yesterday that Baribar had conducted the hearing.

government organization (NGO) Romy Niere, who denied as claimed by Bacolod Mayor Leonardia, that he had tried to obtain the latter’s consent for the broadcaster as well, to bag the project for personal gain. Niere then wrote Councilor Archie Baribar, chairman of the Human Rights Committee, to clarify the issues concerned by holding a public hearing and a probe on the matter. This is the second time yesterday that Baribar had conducted the hearing.

Also invited to clarify their role in the aborted CCTV acquisition were Leo Bentinga-nan, former councilor Alex Paglomutan, Councilor Ho-mer Bais, Leonardia and other city goverment officials.

"In all probability, these officials are afraid to face reality and because they have absented themselves. We cannot do anything but stop the hearings," Baribar said. Baribar also bared that all police stations in the city will be equipped with CCTV cameras costing at least P5-M, because it has now become a necessity.

A public hearing with various city government officials and functionaries will be conducted Monday next week, to discuss and decide on officially naming June 18 the signing of the Commonwealth Law 326 as a chartered city. This will be called "Paghan-duraw", said Baribar.

He added, however, that this will not be the commemoration nor celebration of the city’s charter day, but October 19 which is traditionally celebrated as charter anniversary and will remain as such and as officially recognized by Republic Act 7724, sponsored and passed by Congress during the late Romeo Guanzon’s pendency as Bacolod’s representative.

Charter Day has always been celebrated along with the MassKara Festival, Bacoleños aver.*