WHEN in doubt, don’t.
This seems to have been the guiding principle followed by Councilor Karlo “Kaloy” S. Bello in politely refusing monetary assistance from Aboitiz Power Company when members of the Davao City Council visited the coal-fired plant operated by SEAG State Power, Inc. in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.
“I can only speak for myself in fairness to the other councilors who went there,” said the young lawmaker who topped the May 2010 election for city councilor representing Davao City’s third district, adding that he spent his own money for himself, his driver and three members of his staff.
“When I went to Cagayan de Oro City, near Villanueva), I decided to pay fir everything –transportation and hotelm, but I did eat inside the plant, courtesy of management, for free and that’s about it.”
“I had four other companions–my driver ug staff nako so I had to pay for their accommodation and food. Dako-dako pud ang akong nagasto. Naa seguro sa mga P12 to P14 thousand,” Bello told reporters covering the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.
“Also, I could perhaps ask for reimbursement from the government as it was an official function because we went there as officials of the city. Bu I decided not to ask for reimbursement.
“Just like what I said before I went to CDO, moadto lang ko didto to see for myself the operation of the coal-fired power plant.”
Bello agreed with the statement of Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte who said “we cannot just rely on carton models of the plants that they (Aboitiz representatives) will show us in the city council, we have to see the Seag plant and immediate surroundings ourselves.”
Bello said that he is for a thorough public hearing wherein everybody can participate in discussing the application of Aboitiz to build a coal-fired power plant in the city. “ All sectors should be involved, after all the implications of this project will impact on all sectors,” he said, adding that “everyone should get involved in determining the feasibility and safety of putting up a coal-fired power plant in Davao.” [AMA]
