With a few days more left before the end of the 60-day negotiation, the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. and the Bacolod City panel are still debating on the "upward adjustment" or increase in compensation for the management and operation of the port.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, head of the executive-legislative panel, said the parties started their meetings January 4 and technically, the end of the 60-day negotiation will be on March 6, since March 5 is a Sunday. "We assure the public that we will do everything we can to see to it that we are on schedule," he said.

Leonardia said they have also agreed to meet more often if needed because they are "very conscious of the self-imposed deadline, whether (they) agree or not."

Asked if the city will pursue the takeover of the port operation and management if both parties fail to come up with an agreement, Leonardia said "that was embodied in my report and recommendations to the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod when I proposed the renegotiation."

Leonardia said that if the parties could not agree within 60 days, the option the city will pursue is the takeover of the port management and operation. This will go through the process since the city cannot do it without the participation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod because there is no organizational set-up or an enabling ordinance for the takeover option, he said.

Leonardia said what they are aiming for is an amount that will be reasonable and fair to all parties concerned.*CGS

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