The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed on first reading yesterday an ordinance laying down basic policies, guidelines, rules, and procedures for the protection of the rights of ownership by the city over the reclamation project, port and port operations at the reclamation area.

The ordinance, which was reintroduced by Councilor Dindo Ramos to the new SP set yesterday, also provides for the continuation and completion of the unfinished reclamation project, and the running of port operations. It said the Mayor in a decision dated Oct. 12, 2005 opted for a "qualified renegotiation" with the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. in an attempt to iron out the differences between the city and BREDCO, after which, if the same should fail, the option of takeover should be vigorously pursued.

The Mayor asked for an appropriate ordinance from the SP for the takeover of the operations of the port of the city after the negotiation failed, it said.

The ordinance said that, in view of the present problems being experienced by the city in relation to the project and the port and port operations, there is a need for the city to undertake the necessary measures to protect its rights, including its right of ownership over the reclamation project, port and port operations at the reclamation area.*CGS

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