BAGUIO CITY October 13 – The City General Services Office reported that the local government was able to takeover the famous Asin swimming pool and resort from its former operator but there is a need for the city to assign permanent officials and employees who will oversee the city-owned property purposely for income-generating activities.
Assistant City General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan said a proposal for the hiring of job order employees who will take charge of the city-owned resort was already submitted to the local finance committee for approval to allow the city to fully possess the property.
He claimed that the city was able to serve the notice of eviction to Roger Sinot, the former operator of the Asin hot spring resort, after the local court rule in favor of the local government but the problem is that Sinot was able to continue operating the property because there was no personnel assigned to take charge of the facilities once they left the area.
Further, the City General Services Office is now finalizing the simple terms of reference for the operation of the resort which will be bidded out to interested resort operators.
Earlier, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan directed the City General Services Office to prepare the appropriate terms of reference for the privatization of the operation of the Asin hot spring resort to allow the local government to benefit from it and to prevent individuals from earning income at the expense of the city.
He added the privatization of the resort will also include the building that was constructed during the time of former mayor Bernardo M. Vergara which could be used for seminars and conferences not only of the local government but also for other groups inside and outside the region.
He stated the business permit of the Asin hot spring resort must also be processed with the Tuba municipal government to set a precedent that local governments engaged in income-generating activities must secure the necessary permits and pay the right taxes for its businesses inside and outside the city.
He claimed it is high time for the local government to possess its properties inside and outside the city and maximize their operations to contribute in efforts of the city to generate additional income that could be plowed back to the people through the implementation of high impact development projects and significantly improve the delivery of basic services to the greater majority of the populace, especially those in the grassroots level.** By Dexter A. See
