Bacolod Councilor Homer Bais said he believes that the proposed ordinance on the takeover of the Bacolod port, which he and four other Councilors have submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary yesterday, has a very slim chance of survival in the SP.

Bais, together with Councilors Lyndon Caña, Greg Gasataya, Dindo Ramos and Jude Thaddeus Sayson proposed an ordinance providing for the basic policies, guidelines, rules and procedures for the takeover by the city of the unfinished reclamation project and port operations at the Reclamation Area of Bacolod City, to enlist the aid of pertinent government agencies, and to provide for the eventual rebidding of the project.

Bais said he believes the proposed ordinance may not survive because, during the session Thursday, the SP focused on insignificant issues rather than appreciate the recommendation of the city negotiating panel for a takeover which was forwarded to them by the Mayor. He said the proposed ordinance should be discussed before the SP ever thinks of voting for or against it. Acting Mayor Renecito Novero said that, basically, it is not good to take over a business such as the Bacolod port. He said the city cannot even solve the problem of the public markets and other areas of local government. "I'm sure it will create more controversies that might impede smooth flow of local governance, he said, so I suggest that extra caution should be observed by our public officials."

However, I believe that nothing is closed in as far as opportunities for negotiations is concerned, he said.*CGS

back to top