Bacolod Councilor Dindo Ramos yesterday said the Sangguniang Panlungsod will finally decide on the proposed “takeover ordinance” today.

The SP deferred action on the proposed ordinance, laying down basic policies, guidelines, rules and procedures for the protection of the rights of ownership of the city over the reclamation project, port and port operations at the reclamation of Bacolod City last week after acting Association of Barangay Captains head, Councilor Diosdado Valenzuela, asked for a week to study the matter.

Ramos said that whether or not Valenzuela is ready to vote, the SP will act on the proposed ordinance. He said he does not see reason to delay it further, especially since Councilor Napoleon Cordova, one of its proponents, has already returned from his vacation in the U.S. But he said he believes Valenzuela will vote in favor of the ordinance.

Ramos said they need seven votes for the proposed ordinance to be passed on third and final reading, and he expects that they will be able to get the number.

Councilor Alex Paglumotan said he will still abstain because he has issued a written comment and does not want to go against the proponents.

Rosellier Maalat, one of the legal counsels of BREDCO, had said earlier that if the ordinance is passed on final reading they will file for declaration of nullity of the ordinance with preliminary injunction and prayer for temporary restraining order.

If they file a case, we will respect their right to protect their interest, if there is any, Ramos said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said if BREDCO will file a case, they will answer it. He said he is willing to sit down with BREDCO if it agrees to increase its annual rental of P800,000 to the city. But it appears that it is firm on its stand, so they will go by the ordinance, he added.

Leonardia said the ordinance will go through a legal process or will undergo evaluation since there has been many amendments introduced. He said he will wait for it to get to his office before he makes a decision.

The mayor also clarified that the proposed takeover ordinance only involves the port operation and management, and not the whole of BREDCO.

Meanwhile, today, December 19, is the 47 th anniversary of Ordinance 70, Series of 1960, or the Reclamation Project of the City of Bacolod which reclaimed the foreshores of the city and established the port facilities, a press release from its author said.

The Ordinance authored by former Councilor Ben Barredo, then the number one councilor, was approved by the votes of Councilors Ramon Misa, Innocencio Lucasan, Rex Arnaldo, Jose Ramos, Jovito Sayson and Pedro Alit.

Only Barredo, Lucasan and Ramos are still around today, the release said.

The Ordinance was passed on Dec. 19, 1960.*CGS

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