Agbayani slams Espino on Prov’l Capitol
LINGAYEN–Second District Rep. Victor Agbayani has found another issue of contention against Gov. Amado Espino Jr.: the renovation of the provincial Capitol.
“Bakit ba kailangan baguhin ang Capitol, tapos na yan, eh,” said Agbayani in a statement issued to the press.
Agbayani and Espino are both running for governor in the May election.
Agbayani, a three-term governor from 1998 to 2007 preceding Espino, claims that the restoration of the Capitol building was already completed in 2006 and asked why it had to be renovated again.
The renovation of the Capitol was one of the first projects undertaken by Espino as part of his program on improving delivery of public services and the new look has been bandied as a concrete testament to changes in the province’s management.
Agbayani said his former provincial administration hired the services of noted heritage conservationist Rene Luis Mata, he who was hired by the national government to undertake the restoration of Intramuros and the National Museum, for the restoration of the Capitol Building, which was constructed in 1919. “Galit nga siya (Mata) kasi hindi na-preserve yong original na structure ng Kapitolyo, pinalitan. Bakit kailangan baguhin,” Agbayani said.
TOURIST SPOT
Reacting to the congressman’s tirade, Provincial Information Officer Butch Velasco said it was not just the Capitol but all the buildings and parks inside the compound were renovated and the area has proven to be one of the most frequented tourist spots in the province.
Velasco said the timing of the criticism is suspect because Agbayani never uttered a word nor raised any objection when the renovation was being done and even when it was completed.
“Why is it now an election issue?” he asked. “Is it because he finds no other legitimate issues against the Espino administration?”
Agbayani also asked for the whereabouts of the antique iron grills that were removed from the capitol.
Another issue raised by former Gov. Agbayani is the reported P1.5 to P1.9 million a month in electric bills being paid by the provincial government to light up the Capitol at night. –LM
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