By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local journalist Edgar Cadagat recently claimed to be the individual behind the opposition letter submitted to the Department of Finance (DOF) over the P1.7 billion loan being sought by the Bacolod City government.

In an interview yesterday morning, Cadagat said he sent the letter directly to DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez, asserting, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia should not be entrusted with millions of pesos of public funds.

He believes the public would be “divested” of such a subsidy.

Cadagat said he sincerely supports the efforts by President Rodrigo Duterte to stimulate more jobs and stir economic activity, but he takes exception with spending that is considered excessive, overpriced, or anomalous.

Leonardia earlier called Cadagat’s maneuver “sabotage,” adding, the funds would be intended for certain projects.

The P1.7 billion loan would be used for four “flagship projects,” including the construction of the 10,000-seater Bacolod MassKara Coliseum, which would cost P800 million; Bacolod City College enhancements amounting to P350 million; development for the Progreso Village relocation site costing P350 million; and P200 million worth of various road and bridge projects.

He also clarified, contrasting claims made in the opposition letter, plans to borrow the loan was not done in a short period of time.

In his earlier response, the mayor also claimed the author of the letter has 2019 ambitions./DGB, WDJ