MAGALONG ASKS SM TO LISTEN TO BAGUIO PEOPLE ON MARKET DEV’T PROJECT

June 12, 2021 Headlines

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong appealed to SM Prime Holdings, Inc. to bring back to the community by making the planned market development project an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
The mayor made the appeal during the start of the first round of negotiations last June 9, where the city’s Public Private Partnership for the People (P4) Selection Committee and SM representatives met to start discussing the 34 terms of negotiations the city crafted as part the negotiation proceedings.
Magalong asked SM to listen to the voice and sentiments of the Baguio people, considering that they have issues with the company, which has been given the Original Proponent Status for the market development.
He however said he believes he did the right thing in giving the OPS to SMPHI after he vetoed the recommendation of the P4 in favor of another proponent, Robinsons Land Corporation.
“To SM, you won the OPS fair and square, based on merit and credibility, because you submitted a very comprehensive proposal. My appeal to you is to listen to the people and make a legacy so that the sentiments and issues against you will be deleted,” Magalong said.
During the first meeting, the P4 chaired by City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña underscored the need to keep the confidentiality of the discussions involving the details of the 34 terms of negotiations.
Dela Peña said those actually involved in the negotiation proper have to sign the oath of conduct which binds them not to disclose information regarding the details of the. negotiations.
He said these details will serve a basis in the crafting of the terms of reference that will later subjected to the Swiss Challenge and this is the time that the details will be presented to the public and other companies interested to submit counter offers or proposals.
Councilor lourdes Tabanda abstained from the move to exclude the advisers and consultants saying this defeats the purpose of transparency. Dela Peña assured the private sector representatives who were invited to serve as consultants and advisers that this is the only stage that needs confidentiality so as not compromise the details of the negotiation.