Belmonte reacts to MRT-7 rant
Credit to Author: Ben Kritz| Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2020 17:20:32 +0000
FOR today’s episode, let me yield the floor to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who took exception to my column on February 25, titled “Local governments are the scourge of investment and development in PH.”
The clarification offered here is certainly welcome, as it sheds more light on a contentious issue. However, I would like to ask, when I have the opportunity to do so, why this insight was not made available to the public in this concise way sooner:
“This is in reaction to the opinion piece titled “local govts are the scourge of investment & development in PH” by Ben Kritz published on your Feb. 25, 2020 issue.
“At the outset, let me clarify that I issued a cease and desist order for 30-meter high structure to be built on top of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) station. The MRT station and platform itself is underground, and is not covered by my order. In fact, construction on the underground station is continuing unabated.
“In August, EEI, the contractor of the project, met with the city government and presented the above- and below-ground specifications. As agreed upon with the previous administration, the contractor applied for 2,400 square meters (sq m) for the above-ground structure.
“Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat met with me in December where she expressed her intention to make the Quezon City Circle as one of the tourist destinations the agency intends to promote in Metro Manila.
“For that reason, we wanted to make a master plan and called EEI for a meeting but they failed to attend. On February 13, an EEI representative went to our office and informed us that instead of the previously-approved 2,400 sq ms, the above-ground structure will now utilize 11,000 sq m and will be 30 meters above ground or four stories high.
“We were never consulted and the contractor assumed that it was already approved despite being non-compliant with the specifications indicated in the approved locational clearance, building permit and other permits.
“Likewise, the contractor failed to consult other stakeholders like environmentalists, Avencena-Quezon family, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), among others.
“The local government cannot simply turn a blind eye on matters regarding the city’s identity and heritage.
“International law prohibits the obstruction of monuments identified as heritage sites or of national importance. Further, our own “National Cultural Heritage Act” requires consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders in respect of national shrines like the QCMC (Quezon City Memorial Circle).
“Let me reiterate, the underground construction of MRT-7 will proceed as scheduled and will be completed according to plan.
“My stand is simple: Respect the original agreement with the previous administration.
“A mall is not necessary for the MRT to operate, but if the contractor finds it compelling to build one, they can construct one underground, which is already being done in Japan and Singapore.
“My only goal here is to protect the park, which has served as the city’s symbol for several decades now and has given joy to thousands of residents, especially the children.
“The mall belongs to the rich but the park belongs to both rich and poor.
“I hope that this explanation will enlighten Mr. Kritz, who clearly used wrong information in his assumptions and conclusions, and your readers as well.”
Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte
Mayor, Quezon City