CEBU CITY — A group of residents in Mandaue City has asked the city government not to pursue its plan to secure a P3-billion loan for the construction of a new government center.

THE Save Mandaue Coalition holds a press conference on Wednesday, September 4, to oppose the plan to loan P3-billion to build a one-stop-shop government center in Mandaue City. (Calvin D. Cordova)

The Save Mandaue Coalition said the city could put the money to better use by improving the delivery of basic services.

“We, the concerned citizens of Mandaue City, express our strong objection to the Mandaue City government's decision to secure a P3-billion Development Bank of the Philippines loan for the construction of a one-stop-shop government center. We believe this substantial financial commitment is misplaced and does not address the most pressing issues facing our community,” the group said in a statement.

The new government center will be constructed where the controversial Cebu International Convention Center is located. The city has purchased the property from the provincial government.

A groundbreaking for the government center was held last week where Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and suspended Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes were present.

Elaine Joyce Bacunador, spokesperson of the group, said that instead of building the government center, the city should prioritize finding immediate solutions to critical problems such as flood control management, permanent resettlement site, and access to medicine, medical facilities, and school buildings.

The group also questioned the city’s move to secure the money when they could construct the center through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project.

“We want to give emphasis or highlight the importance and benefits of considering the implementation or usage of PPP (Public-Private Partnership) as a long-term and concrete resolution in resolving the pressing issues Mandauehanons are facing,” the group said.

Bacunador said the amount will be a heavy burden to carry for Mandauehanon taxpayers.

“What will be the effect of this loan? It will be the Mandauehanons who will suffer paying the loan through their taxes,” said Bacunador.

Bacunado said they will launch a petition campaign where they will visit barangays to block the planned loan. “We will be holding dialogs, information dissemination. We will seek legal guidance in relation to the issue and our group will hold rallies,” said Bacunador.

The group denied claims that politics has something to do with their campaign. They also denied they are backed by certain politicians.

“Our ultimate goal is to see our basic needs adequately met and our city's core issues resolved before embarking on ambitious projects that do not directly benefit the daily lives of Mandauehanons,” the group said.