Lizares: Ayala’s withdrawal from Capitol deal: What a loss!

It was horrific to be greeted by the morning paper’s news about the pullout of the Ayala group of their grand endeavor in Negros.

It did not take long for us to see the black ribbon in Facebook and the call for concerned citizens to light candles in the Capitol Building at 6 in the evening to mourn for our province.

We arrived latish in the Capitol Building but could see all the lighted candles and the people still unbelieving at the loss of this great opportunity for our province especially for the capital, Bacolod City, as the project is to be situated in the very heart of the city.

We have heard and read about the COA problems, the irregularity of the bidding process. Rumors range from mild to wild. Speculations spread about vested interests of politicians. Whatever the truth, it is not our position to point an accusing finger to a particular entity or persons. We are not involved in the nitty-gritty of negotiations, neither are we aware of the very root of the COA problems and processes.

Ours is just to mourn really for the loss of a promise that would not only prettify our city and our province; the bottom line of sadness is loss of the tremendous boost in employment from the construction of the whole community development program to the number of people who can likewise earn had the project been completed. Let’s not disregard the business opportunities that would have prospered.

As a highly urbanized city, this would have been another asset and a come-on for Bacolod and the province for visitors both local and foreign. Woe to all of us.

I was asking friends what their comments were. Opinion writers have made their statements and we have read the press release of Ayala. So what does the common “tao” have to say?

One said “perhaps it is not meant to be.” That’s looking at it from a “divine” point of view. After a year of negotiations and problems, indeed perhaps it is not meant for Bacolod. As my roots are in Talisay, I pray that Ayala chooses the neighboring city to add more to the massive program they have already started and done, which has given much revenue to the City of Talisay. Revenue—that’s another loss for the province, which I failed to mention in the previous paragraphs.

A friend who lives proximal to the proposed area was already envisioning the beautiful skyline that will greet her daily. Now, that joy is relegated to oblivion.

There are many angry comments—and instead of including them here, you can read them all as they are splattered all over Facebook.

Yesterday’s headlines say: “After Ayala withdrawal, SM assures Negrenses: We’ll take care of you.” So, it may not be a total loss after all. SM might just go so many more extra miles in their plans to earn the trust of Negrenses and be worthy if they are granted the project.

As an ordinary citizen who wants nothing but the best for Negros, I put this matter in God’s hands and pray for the best for our province! His plans are always far superior than any of ours!