The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dumaguete approved on July 7 a ₱2.185-billion borrowing package covering a new public market and a City Hall extension building, incorporating both projects into the city's 2026 Annual Investment Program — before the independent review committee the council itself had established weeks earlier could submit its findings.
The measure, CDC Full Council Resolution No. 2026-43, passed on both second and third and final reading by a vote of nine in favor and three against, according to the session record. The three dissenting councilors said their objection was to the process, not the projects, arguing the council should have waited for the independent evaluation it had commissioned before committing to the debt.
Two Projects, One Addendum
The AIP addendum covers two design-and-build projects to be financed through proposed local government borrowing. The first is a new four-story Dumaguete City Public Market on a city-owned lot in Barangay Poblacion 3, with a proposed cost of ₱1.948 billion. The second is a two-story City Hall Extension Building with parking on a city-owned lot in Barangay Poblacion 4, at a cost of ₱237 million. The measure was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Council Reversed Its Own Sequence
The July 7 vote effectively reversed a process the council had set for itself only weeks earlier. After the AIP addendum advanced through its earlier readings, Councilor Jose Victor V. Imbo — chairperson of the Committee on Finance — sponsored a June resolution creating an independent committee to scrutinize whether the projects are viable and whether borrowing is the appropriate financing mechanism.
That move appeared designed to subject the fast-moving loan proposal to outside expert review before the city formally committed to the debt. On July 7, however, the council approved the AIP addendum on final reading before the independent body had submitted its report — with Councilor Imbo himself moving for approval on both readings.
Independent Committee's Mandate Left Unfulfilled
Under the June resolution, the independent committee was to be composed of four members: lawyer Golda S. Benjamin; engineer Richard U. Lao, president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Negros Oriental Chapter; and two Cebu-based accounting and auditing firms, Reyes Tacandong & Co. and SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.).
The committee's mandate was to review the assumptions, methodology, and conclusions of the city-prepared feasibility study; assess the technical, financial, economic, social, environmental, and operational viability of both projects; and evaluate the fiscal impact of the proposed borrowing on the city's debt capacity and long-term finances. It was to serve in an advisory capacity, submitting a written report to the mayor and council to guide the decision on whether to proceed.
Dissenting Councilors Cite Incomplete Review
Councilor Renz Macion said he would continue to object until the feasibility study he had requested was made "part and parcel" of the AIP addendum, adding that providing complete information would help fast-track the projects rather than delay them.
Councilor Rey Lyndon T. Lawas said the council still lacked the documents needed to "carefully, diligently study and weigh all things." He stated he was "one with the administration" in supporting a new public market but insisted a thorough review must first be completed.
Councilor Franklin D. Esmeña Jr. echoed the same position, saying his negative vote did not mean he opposed the developments themselves.
Full Vote Breakdown
Voting in favor (9): Jose Victor V. Imbo, Jason Patrick T. Lagahit, Melissa L. Sagarbarria, Maria Marife L. Cordova, Woodtamm C. Maquiling, Bernice Anne A. Elmaco, Antonio J. Remollo, Jovencio C. Tan Jr., and Miguel Lorenzo N. Aseniero.
Voting against (3): Renz Macion, Rey Lyndon T. Lawas, and Franklin D. Esmeña Jr.
With the measure approved on final reading, both projects have been incorporated into the city's 2026 Annual Investment Program, subject to the regulatory requirements governing local government borrowing, according to the session record.
By the Numbers
- ₱2.185 billion — total proposed borrowing package for both projects
- ₱1.948 billion — proposed cost of the new four-story Dumaguete City Public Market (Barangay Poblacion 3)
- ₱237 million — proposed cost of the two-story City Hall Extension Building with parking (Barangay Poblacion 4)
- 9 vs. 3 — vote tally in favor and against CDC Full Council Resolution No. 2026-43
- 4 members — composition of the independent review committee established by the June resolution
Why This Matters
The approval commits Dumaguete City to a multi-billion-peso borrowing obligation before the council's own independent expert body — composed of a lawyer, a civil engineer, and two national auditing firms — could complete the feasibility review it was specifically tasked to conduct. The three dissenting councilors placed on record that the council proceeded without the documents they said were necessary for a fully informed decision. Regulatory requirements for local government borrowing will now govern the next steps for both projects.
Photo credit: Photo from Breaking News Negros Oriental