The Sangguniang Panlungsod did not rule yesterday on the recommendation of the city negotiation panel to take over the management and operation of the Bacolod port pending a caucus with the Mayor.

The SP yesterday passed a resolution calling for an executive-legislative caucus with eight councilors voting in favor and four voting against it.

Councilors Greg Gasataya, Homer Bais, Dindo Ramos and Jude Thaddeus Sayson voted against the resolution because they, including Councilor Lyndon Caña, will submit today a proposed ordinance providing for basic policies, guidelines, rules and procedures for the takeover of the city of the unfinished reclamation project and port, as well as, the port operation at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City, and to enlist the aid of government agencies to provide for a rebidding of the project.

Caña said he voted in favor of the resolution because he wants the Mayor to clarify what he means by takeover. "My concept of a takeover is for the city to bid out the project to serious and fair contractors who will give the city a fair share of the income and not violate its contract with the city, " he said.

Meanwhile, City Legal Officer Allan Zamora yesterday asked Councilor Elmer Sy to inhibit himself from the deliberation of the SP on the takeover of the Bacolod port.

Zamora said the Mayor had requested the SP to pass an ordinance on the mechanics of the takeover of the management and operation of the port. The SP has several options, either to continue the negotiation, pass an ordinance for the takeover, or take no action. The ball is in their hands, he said.

He said the review of the Comprehensive Revised Reclamation Agreement between the city and the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. originated from the SP, which forwarded their findings to the Mayor.

MONEY FROM BREDCO?

Zamora said he was surprised why Sy participated in the negotiation, when long before the negotiation started, he already admitted to have received money from BREDCO president Simplicio Palanca.

Sy said he did not sign the recommendation of the city panel because he was not present when it was approved. He said he was not even furnished a copy of the recommendation by a staff member of Secretary to the Mayor Roger Balo when he asked for it. He said the woman threatened him saying "Indi ka mag sign, ti guera? (If you will not sign it means war).

Zamora said if Sy believes the negotiation panel was not sincere, he should have inhibited himself. That is the only legacy he can give to the city since he is not willing to make a stand for the interest of the city, he said.

Why should I inhibit myself? Sy asked. I only go for that which is good for the city,

BREDCO OFFER "CHEAP"

Former Bacolod Councilor Alfredo Jalbuena Jr. said hopes the government officials, including the SP, should continue to negotiate with BREDCO and find a win-win solution. He said he believes the P1.4 million offer of BREDCO for the annual rental is cheap and should be between P2 to 3 million.

Jalbuena, who is a real estate developer, said he would like to leave it up to the private company to manage the Bacolod port. He said this is because if the management of BREDCO falls under the city, there will be tremendous graft and corruption, more than the PEA-Amari scam.

What the city failed to do, Jalbuena said, is to generate more revenues by charging travel taxes in Bacolod. When you leave Manila for Bacolod you are charged P200 which goes to the city government of Manila, he said but in Bacolod it is included in the ticket. He said the city could bargain with the shipping companies to lower their prices in lieu of the extra charge.*CGS

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