In a recent media forum of the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna reported that former mayor Isko Moreno’s administration left some P17.8 billion debts or outstanding bank loans for succeeding administrations to pay.
Honey vocalized it in a tone that obviously puts the blame on her predecessor and former political ally.
Mayor Honey also said that during her term which is due to end next year if she is not reelected, the city was able to pay P2.5 billion of these loans. The forum was held at the Harbor View Restaurant.
By the lady mayor’s estimates, it would take the city government of Manila 20 years to pay the P17.8 billion debt left behind by the Isko Moreno administration.
"The enormous size of Manila's debt cannot be financed with the funds that we currently have," Mayor Lacuna said.
She said payments for the city’s contractual obligations are so burdensome that these are hindering the smooth flow of services that Manila offers its residents.
Some of the expenses the funding of which would be jeopardized by the debt burden are the usual “ayuda” to senior citizens who now total 203,000, persons with disabilities and solo parents numbering around 50,000, and the roughly 20,000 student beneficiaries of the city-run Universidad de Manila and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
"The local government's capacity to meet the needs of the city is being affected," Lacuna added.
The loans from Landbank and other financial institutions were reported used to bankroll infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Ospital ng Maynila, construction of the Manila Skydeck, construction and maintenance of various health centers, and redevelopment of the Manila Zoo.
Those who pass by España Blvd. in Sampaloc won’t fail to notice the modern and tall building of the Ramon Magsaysay High School (RMHS) where I graduated. This is one of the buildings built using those loans. Another one is the impressive Justo Albert Elementary School in Dapitan St., also in Sampaloc. These and many more will be Isko Moreno’s legacy to the students and residents of Sampaloc.
Manila, the country’s capital city, is home to 13.7 million people and is the third richest city in the country with total assets of P40.711 billion.
Come to think of it, Honey Lacuna should not be complaining about these debts incurred by the city. As Vice Mayor of Manila during Isko’s term, Honey presided over the City Council which was predominantly composed of Isko-Honey majority councilors. Lacuna and these councilors passed the ordinance that gave Isko the authority to borrow from these banks, and guarantee the payments of this indebtedness. If there is something wrong, Honey Lacuna and the councilor are also to blame.
The topics of Manila’s debts and the way City Hall has been running the affairs of the city are surfacing anew because of the next local elections.
Isko has met with the same group of Manila reporters over a sumptuous native lunch at the Adriatico Arms Hotel where he discussed his own vision of how a growth-oriented urban LGU should be run. To be fair, the former mayor did not mention any direct criticism against Mayor Honey Lacuna, but his actuations and schedule of activities all point to the fact that he will be running for mayor of the city, challenging the incumbent and several other hopefuls.
With the filing of the certificates of candidacy set from October 1 to 8, we will know for sure who will contest the highest seat of power at City Hall.
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