Metro-RIN Town Hall Meeting
By Pol Derilo
Amidst intense pressure and scrutiny of Metro RINA stakeholders, two incumbent municipal council members of Gen. Nakar will lead the recall of Resolution 2007-21 during a session scheduled to be held on May 7, 2007. Vice Mayor Bobby Portillo and council member N. Curioso not only publicly condemned the impropriety of the resolution but also pleaded to nip the highly controversial issue of dam constructions along major rivers of Gen. Nakar.
Their commitment was made public during the 3-town public discussion of the issue at the covered court in Gen. Nakar last April 30. They are the only members of the incumbent council who were present during the meeting.
Resolution 2007-21 unanimously gave the incumbent mayor Hernando P. Avellaneda the authority to sign on behalf of Gen. Nakar the Memorandum of Agreement with Energy World International (EWI). This agreement formally bind the municipality of Gen. Nakar and EWI to construct a hydro electric dam on Kanan BI River. This river is the right branch of a major waterway that connect with Kaliwa river at the convergence point popularly known as Pagsangahan in Gen. Nakar.
The lack of transparency, public discussion, and circumstances leading to adoption of the controversial resolution are the leading reasons for the culmination of the tri-municipal assembly. Spearheaded by their respective NGOs, religious and lay leaders, indigenous tribes and other stakeholders, the assembly were able to bring the issue to its due public awareness and discussion. The same crowd will watch the council’s session on May 7 at the same open and public venue in Gen. Nakar.
During the public discussion, it became known why the presiding officer, Vice Mayor Portillo passed out during the voting. The arrival of Gov. Enverga that day for bamboo planting along Agos River obliged him to leave the session to join the symbolic ceremony. The resolution had been passed upon his return in the afternoon. On the part of council member N. Curioso, she explained that she is against the resolution in spite of her consenting signature.
The public was also made aware that previous to the adoption of the resolution, Mayor Avellaneda has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the same intentions and purposes as the Memorandum of Agreement. His signature on behalf of Gen. Nakar was unanimously sanctioned by the council during their session held on November 13, 2006 at Corinthian Plaza, Makati City.
In the absence of virtually the whole incumbent council in the general assembly, opposing candidates for the May 14 election were given time to declare their stand on the controversial issue. Given the votes and the chance to replace the council, they also expressed their desire to recall the resolution.
In the meantime, we will anxiously wait for the May 7, 2007 session.