TACLOBAN CITY – Board Member Trinidad Apostol cushioned her colleagues at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to exercise diligence in approving a usufruct agreements for construction of offices at the Government Center in Palo town.
Apostol, who is a former congresswoman from Leyte’s second district, said that while she is not opposed with the provincial government entering usufruct agreements with other government offices, these should be given some serious considerations.
She said that considering that the Government Center, which houses several regional government offices, is fast becoming a prime economic property in Leyte, the provincial board should first take its “pros and cons.”
This call of Apostol amid approval of usufruct agreements entered by the provincial government under Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla with various government agencies.
The provincial government is set to enter usufruct agreements with the Regional Highway Patrol Unit-8, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Civil Defense.
Apostol said the provincial government has first to ensure that the stipulations agreed upon in the usufruct are met before Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and the provincial board approves such contract.
The usufruct agreement usually involves a 25-year term which is renewable by another 25 years.
Also, the regional office can take possession of the property within one year from the signing of the usufruct and should undertake construction within two years from the execution of the contract.
The usufruct further states that the ownership of the building and all other alterations, improvements or additions on the property will remain with the provincial government at the end of the term or during renewal.
Gov. Petilla earlier said that entering into contract of usufruct with regional government agencies and other offices is part of a grand plan of the province to develop and fully utilize the government center property.
(AHLETTE C. REYES)
