The city council suspended acting on the request of Mayor Benjamin Magalong to be allowed to sign a deed of sale for the purchase of a 63,000- square meter property in Tuba, Benguet.
While purchase of the property has been included in the 2020 annual investment plan (AIP) of Baguio, Councilor Michael Lawana said buying a property at a time when the city government has spent so much for its Covid-19 response might not be practical at this time.
He said the city’s financial status remains volatile at present because of the closure of many businesses during the lockdown.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda added she would like to find out from the City Planning and Development Office whether the purchase of the property is included in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
“The plan may be in the AIP but council approval is still needed”, she said.
The property which has a purchase price of P95,377,000, will be for land banking purposes, said City Assessor Almaya Addawe.
The property is accessible through Sta. Lucia Gate 4 and through Asin Road.
Discussion with the CPDO has been set on May 23. – Rimaliza A. Opiña with reports from Jordan G. Habbiling
