It is not yet the end for the proposed takeover ordinance of the Bacolod Port, Bacolod Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said yesterday.

Sayson said the proposed ordinance providing the basic policies, guidelines and procedures for the takeover by the city of the unfinished reclamation project and port, as well as, port operation at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City can still be reintroduced to the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The proposed ordinance was killed on first reading Thursday as six councilors voted against it and six voted in favor. The ordinance needed eight votes to be passed on first reading.

Those who voted in favor of the takeover ordinance were Sayson, Councilors Lyndon Caña, Dindo Ramos, Homer Bais, Greg Gasataya and Napoleon Cordova. Those against were Councilors Ana Marie Palermo, Elmer Sy, Reynold Iledan, Arturo Parreño, Catalino Alisbo and Marx Louie de la Rosa. Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue abstained, while Councilor Al Victor Espino was out of the session hall during the votation.

If only those who voted against the takeover ordinance allowed it to be introduced on first reading, some of them might be enlightened that the take over is the only option to take considering the numerous violations committed by BREDCO in its contract with the city, Sayson said.

Sayson said he hopes the action taken by those who voted against the takeover ordinance will not become a precedent in the SP. It only shows the extent that BREDCO will go to in order to perpetrate itself, he said. The city was shortchanged and the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. proved itself not to be a good company in terms of compliance of its contractual obligation to the city since 1961 up to the present and with numerous amendments made to the various contracts just to suit it, he said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, in a teleconference yesterday with the media, that the SP asked for an executive-legislative caucus and he wants to assess their sentiment or stand on the issue. Once he receives their resolution he will meet with them and, possibly, work together and have the same direction on the matter for the good of the city, he said.

"I think I still have to explore all possibilities with them before I can make a conclusion," he added.

Asked for comment on the suggestion of Speaker Jose de Venecia that the city and BREDCO should sit down and resolve the problem amicably, Leonardia said that "If they are serious and want to sit down with me, I am willing to listen to their position, after which we can determine whether it is feasible or not."

Meanwhile, Leonardia said that if it is the SP that was supposed to decide on the site of a government center, he will respect their decision. "In the meantime, since it is the Mayor's prerogative, I am asking them to respect my decision," he said. The selection of the Taculing site was based on the recommendation of the City Hall Committee and he will stand on his decision because he believes that is the right option for Bacolod, he said.*CGS

back to top