05/05/2026
Joint Statement of Coun. GG Esmeña, Coun. Rey Lawas and Coun. Renz Macion
We support the call to reconvene the City Development Council (CDC) to ensure a transparent, thorough, and lawful review of the P2.185 billion projects to be funded through a loan as an addendum to the
2026 Annual Investment Plan.
During our regular session today, a motion was made to reconsider the approval on first reading, with a recommendation for the CDC to reconvene. We supplemented this with a resolution containing specific recommendations to correct the defects in the CDC meeting on April 20, 2026, including requiring briefings from the City Engineer’s Office, City Economic Enterprise and Development, and the Local Finance Committee on their studies and findings.
Our proposal was disapproved for being “moot and academic.” We respectfully disagree. It is not moot, it is supplementary, and it ensures that the CDC reconvenes with clear guidance for proper deliberation.
The official CDC minutes show the meeting lasted from 2:10 PM to 2:37 PM, with only about 12 minutes effectively spent discussing ₱2.185 billion worth of projects yet it was claimed there was “due deliberation.”
We were also told the projects were understood through “word of mouth.” This is unacceptable. Public decisions must be based on official records and formal discussions, not assumptions.
We remain hopeful that when the CDC reconvenes, all issues and discrepancies will be properly addressed.
While our proposal was not approved, we remain steadfast. We will continue to uphold our duty, ensure that public funds are properly scrutinized, and stand for transparency and accountability in governance.
Dumagueteños deserve nothing less than a process that is clear, lawful, and truly deliberative.