SAN PABLO CITY — The city government conducted its first public hearing on a proposal from Mayor Najie Gapangada seeking authority from the Sangguniang Panlungsod to secure a loan for the purchase of land intended for a City Agro-Industrial Park.
The hearing, held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall on March 16, 2025, focused on the proposed ₱1.8-billion loan to acquire 117.31 hectares of land for the planned development project.
The public hearing was facilitated by the majority of city councilors, with government officials from different departments and concerned sectors also present.
Representatives from LandBank, Veterans Bank, and the Development Bank of the Philippines attended the session and confirmed their institutions’ capacity to provide the required financing. Each bank submitted loan proposals with varying interest rates and terms.
City officials said the proposed agro-industrial park could bring long-term economic benefits to San Pablo City, including job creation, increased investment opportunities, and improved agricultural productivity. The project is also expected to support local industries by connecting agricultural production with processing and distribution systems.
However, concerns were raised about the scale of the loan and the associated financial risks. Stakeholders emphasized the need for careful evaluation of the city’s debt capacity, given the long-term repayment obligations that could affect future budgets. Representatives of all three banks also said the project is creditworthy and confirmed that financing could be extended to the city under their respective lending programs.
Questions were also raised on social media regarding transparency and accountability in both the executive and legislative branches as the proposal moves forward. Observers stressed the importance of full disclosure of loan terms, land valuation, and procurement processes to ensure responsible management of public funds.
City officials assured the public that the proposal will undergo further review and additional consultations before any final decision is made. They said further hearings will be conducted to gather input from residents and affected sectors.
The agro-industrial park is being positioned as a major development initiative for San Pablo City, but its approval will depend on succeeding deliberations and compliance with legal and financial safeguards. Initial proceedings also suggest that members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod appear to be supportive of the establishment of the proposed agro-industrial park, as discussions during the hearing reflected a generally favorable stance toward the project’s potential benefits for the city.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
