BREDCO, City Hall need mediators

Dr. Roger Balo left the door open to the possibility of disinterested parties to help in the negotiation between City Hall and the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp.

He said Wednesday it is possible that the Sangguniang Panglunsod may not approve the takeover move. Thus, the negotiations between the two entities will have to continue. Even former Councilor Rolando Villamor had proposed a P5 million adjustment per annum to be paid by BREDCO. And a lot of other concerned business leaders of Bacolod have cautioned the city government against precipitated action on the takeover proposal because it could send the wrong signals to the business community and the public.

Yesterday, I received a follow-up call from Johnny Gregorio, a Philsutech official and member of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Gregorio, expressing concern over the negative effect of a turnover of the BREDCO port to the city and the business climate, had asked former PEA administrator Arsenio Yulo whether the latter could arbitrate the standoff. Yulo express willingness to do it. But that idea, he said should be approved by both parties. Personally, I suggest that aside from Yulo, MBCCI chair Roberto Montelibano, and James Chua, president of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, could be named to a three-man arbitration panel. Perhaps, the arbitration group can be expanded. But offhand, I recommend that the three above-named individuals be empowered to help the legal panels of both sides to wade through their arguments and counter-arguments until they can hammer out a solution acceptable to both sides.

That's the only way to solve the current impasse. And save Bacolod from public embarrassment. The trip to Mexico of City Mayor Evelio Leonardia could serve as cooling-off period while both sides mull the arbitration proposal.

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The other sore point is the site for the proposed new government center for Bacolod City. This is a contentious issue. And former Vice Mayor Monju Guanzon had already stirred a tempest when he pointed out that the Taculing area is already congested and the construction of the project there will affect the Bacolod City College and the Bacolod City High School.

And former Councilor Villamor, who had remained silent for sometime, finally broke his silence over the issue and pointed out that the Guanzon property in Mansilingan had been offered for free by the Guanzon family. In short, why develop an already congested area when there is a bigger one that is being offered for free? That is the contention by Villamor.

Well, since the start that was exactly what I had mentioned in my previous column. Taculing is already crowded. And what is needed for a new "city hall", although that is not the proper term for that place, is a potential buildup area. True, it is near the center of the city as it now is. But there will be need to upgrade and expand the streets leading to it. In short, it will also not be a cheap alternative.

But Councilor Thaddeus Sayson is right, he wants to see the study that recommended the Taculing site. He has reason to. There is imperative need for transparency in the decision to recommend the Taculing site.

And Councilor Greg Gasataya is also correct when he pointed out the need for the SP concurrence to the idea. Not because it is required for approval of the plan but because the SP will have to appropriate the money or approve the loan application to build the new government center.

On the other hand, the Guanzon property may not necessarily be the best option. After all, it is already near the boundary of Murcia. And those doing business with city offices will have to travel a long way to reach the place. It's not just a question that there is need for the Guanzons to provide an area along the highway, but more important is that it requires a longer trip to be able to reach the place for transacting with government offices.

But one must doff the hat off to Administrator Lorendo Dilag for recommending that the city retain the present city hall by having the Office of the City Mayor and other executive offices there. The reason - not to lose the conditional donation. Otherwise, the lot will revert to the Luzuriaga family as provided for in the conditional deed of donation.

The more important consideration is that Bacolod may finally have a new city hall - the long time aspiration of the city residents.

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The way it looks now, the government men are busy tracking down enemies of the state with even the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalist reportedly eyed for a possible search warrant.

Why? The idea is simple. If the government has a case against the PCIJ, all it has to do is gather the evidence and file a libel suit against it.

One of the things that had been hurled against PCIJ is that it is funded by the Ford Foundation and other American foundations.

Thus, it is very difficult to suspect that it is a hotbed of anti-government thinkers. Unless, of course, one believes that mediamen could just as easily be turned around and go against the government which their bankrollers has been interested in preserving.*

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