The story may have been this: Malaybalay City Council has approved a resolution paving way for the construction of a new Php 20 Million sanitary landfill in Barangay Can-ayan. However, there seemed to have been a story within that story.

You see, news reports indicate that a Malaybalay City councilor voiced out, loud and clear, and became the only one who didn’t vote in favor of granting the project to a contractor that failed to deliver on a previous project. And it seems he has a valid reason as to why.

While Councilor Nicolas Jurolan supported the sanitary landfill project, which is apparently set to replace the city’s open dumpsite, he was “apprehensive with the winning bidder’s failure to complete a water system project in Barangay Managok.”

The winning bidder for the failed Barangay Managok project was Petrina Construction and General Merchandising. They’re now the same contractor for this sanitary landfill.

According to a PNA news report, the said project nearly stalled following the objection of several councilors last month. However, after several committee discussions, in which the contractor reportedly explained its side on the supposed failed water project (the news report didn’t say what their reasons were), the councilors — except Jurolan — voted to approve and grant the authorization for the project.

Pretty ballsy move. We tip our hat to you, Sir, for sticking to your guns until the very end.

The 7.9 hectare waste disposal facility will have an initial budget of Php 20 Million. Malaybalay City Mayor Ignacio Zubiri was already authorized by the council to enter into a contract with Petrina. The money will reportedly cover “earthworks, road, bridges, flood control and drainage.” The project is supposed to be completed within 390 calendar days.

All eyes will now be on Petrina’s management. Let’s see if they’ll do better this time.

And to Councilor Jurolan – thank you for exhibiting proper discernment and responsibility.

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