There’s a new “political talk show” in town and it pitted City Mayor Dan Neri Lim against Cong. Rene Relampagos of the first district. This time, the “talking point” was Relampagos sale of Bohol’s public utilities (light and water) to a private entity. The first district solon has its own reasons to let go of the two essential utilities while Mayor balked at the idea. According to Relampagos the other day, the privatization of the two utilities was paramount to the city’s progress and development. But Lim was unconvinced. Not only that he questioned the sale of the Provincial Public Utilities Department (PPUD) he also lamented the former governor’s performance for the past seven years. The combative city mayor said that the lawmaker should come clean on what he has done for the city in six years that he served as governor. “I don’t want to tell him what I have done because that is self-serving and because anyone who wants to know can see for himself,” the mayor said.

He said in jest that the people who call him up during his radio program to express their gratitude should stop doing that. “(Relampagos) might say that I paid them to do it,” he added. Lim said his programs have been recognized by such prestigious institutions including the Institute for Solidarity in Asia and the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center not just once but twice. More than that, however, Lim said the people have expressed appreciation in various ways. On the other hand, the mayor disputed the congressman’s declaration that his legacy as governor included the construction of the new Capitol building, the privatization of the power and water utilities and the eco-tourism industry. “If his capitol building is good, why did (ex-Gov. Erico) Aumentado return the Office of the Governor to the old building? And why did his partner, Gov. Edgar Chatto still refuse to return there?” Lim asked.

The mayor said that Relampagos should not be too cocky about his role in the privatization of the water and power utilities because the people are groaning particularly against the increase of water bills retroactive to 2006. “Instead of calling this an accomplishment, he should take the cudgels for the consumers in demanding that Bohol Water come out with its financial statement so the people will be convinced that the increase is justified,” he added. Lim claims that Bohol Water stands to collect as much as P100 million from the retroactive payments but has not released any report about its status of operation to the people which it is supposed to do since the provincial government is part-owner of the venture. The mayor said he did not agree with Relampagos then that the private sector can give better service to the people than the government. “Just because he looks down on us in the government does not mean he is right,” he added. Lim also disputed Relampagos’ claim that the success of the eco-tourism industry in Bohol was his accomplishment.

“The success of the tourism industry is primarily due to private sector initiative. Politicians should not be so confident in taking credit for its success because the tourism stakeholders put their money where their mouth is,” the mayor added. Lim said if there is anybody who can claim credit for it, it is none other than hotelier Anos Fonacier whose Bohol Beach Club opened long before Relampagos entered politics. The mayor said he welcomed Relampagos’ allegations against him because this will give him not only the opportunity to explain his side but more importantly to demand an accounting from him on other issues. Lim stressed that criticisms and allegations are not new to him, adding that he would be willing to engage Relampagos and Chatto to a debate on what they have done for Tagbilaran. The mayor accused Relampagos of withholding Tagbilaran’s share of the 20% development fund which was continued by Aumentado and by Chatto in his first year of office. “I want them to personally tell the people what they have done for the city during their incumbency,” Lim added.