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Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila on Monday hit councilors who are trying
to involve themselves in the issue concerning the city
government’s recent takeover of the Vitas slaughterhouse in Tondo,
Manila, from its private operator, Dealco.
The city councilors, Lim said, are supposed to
draft laws and ensure their proper implementation, and not use
their position to protect and advance their own selfish interests.
The mayor also denounced Dealco for gross
violation of the contract it entered into eight years ago with the
city government, for the operation of the city’s lone
slaughterhouse.
Dealco is owned by the family of Manila
Councilor Dennis Alcoreza.
Lim, meanwhile, called on the public not to be
deceived by attempts to cloud the real issue on the matter, which is
Dealco’s insistence in evading its obligations to the city government,
even as the company’s owner appears like an underdog to the
public.
“In depriving the city government of P46
million for the past eight years, Dealco has in effect deprived the
City of Manila’s poor residents of much-needed basic services,”
Lim said.
“Only a few benefited from the money taken by
Dealco from the city for a long time.,” the mayor further said.
Lim said that if a councilor really intends to
serve the residents of Tondo, “he should have first settled his
outstanding obligations to the city and cleared himself of any
liability.”
The mayor said he cannot allow a city councilor
to get away with such activities just because of his position, since
this will set a bad example.
“If this goes unchecked, what will stop the 37
other councilors from also committing illegal acts?” he said.
-- Rommel C. Lontayao
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