The P180 million loan requested for approval by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., for the construction of phase two of the Negros First Cyber Center and six additional classrooms for the Negros Occidental High School in Bacolod City, was again not acted upon yesterday by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, due to lack of quorum.

Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, the presiding officer, was forced to cancel and adjourn their regular session, due to the non-appearance of eight of the 15 board members.

Board Member Raul Rivera, a member of the SP committee on Finance, yesterday said that members of the committee will again meet next week to deliberate on the proposed loans.

Aside from Rivera, present at the SP regular session yesterday were Board Members Thea Mae Dino, Rene Gustilo, Pedro Zayco, Manuel Frederick Ko, Patrick Leonard Lacson and Jose Benito Alonzo.

Board Member Melvin Ibañez was absent, while Board Members George Gitano, Helen Zafra, Salvador Escalante, Emilio Yulo III, Miller Serondo, Mae Javellana and Nehemias de la Cruz, were on “official business”, SP records show.

Alvarez admitted that he and members of the SP were requested by Marañon to attend the Negros Trade Fair opening in Manila. It was learned yesterday that some board members attended the activity.

Before the adjournment, Rivera, who chairs the SP committee on Laws and Ordinances, enjoined his colleagues to attend a meeting before their regular session on Wednesday, to discuss the administrative case filed against Candoni Mayor Jechonias Manzano by Councilor Aldrin Drigo.

The SP will hold an en banc session next week to decide on the case filed against Manzano, for alleged abuse of authority, that was also deferred yesterday, due to lack of quorum, Rivera said. * GPB

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