Mayor clarifies delay in port development

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia denied Monday he is against the development of the Banago Port.

During the inauguration of the Banago Port Passenger Terminal and Port Management Office building last week, city lone district Representative Anthony Golez said he intends to develop Banago into the city’s first public port but he cannot do so because the mayor has not yet issued the Port Zone Delineation for Banago Port.

Such delineation is necessary to determine which part of the port and the foreshore area has reverted to the National Government and which part is still covered by the lease of Negros Navigation Company.

Golez said last week that he had already asked Leonardia to issue the Port Zone Delineation.

BACOLOD. Mayor Evelio Leonardia (2nd from L) said the Banago Port Zone Delineation requires a serious study. With him are (L-R) Permits & Licensing head Vicente Petierre, City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan and Councilor Bobby Rojas during a press briefing Monday. (Contributed photo)

According to Leonardia, the issuance of the Port Zone Delineation requires a serious study and has to go through a process to be handled by the City Administrator.

The City Development Council also has to be consulted on this, he said.

“We are treating this matter seriously. It’s premature to blame this on anybody,” the mayor said about the lawmaker’s proposed project in Banago.