Guv not giving up on Capitol-Ayala Land deal

NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. is still hoping that Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will reconsider its withdrawal from its project on the 7.7-hectare properties of the Provincial Government.

Marañon said talks with ALI about the said project are still ongoing and that he is not giving up on it.

"If there is life, there is hope," Marañon said.

ALI and the Provincial Government have not finalized yet the supposed "mutual disengagement from the project," according to the governor, as both parties are talking to come up with a "win-win" solution.

He also brushed aside any legal move regarding the letter of ALI expressing its intent to disengage from the project.

"If we bring it to the court, it will just drag," he said.

Marañon said what is good about it is we are talking, discussing things.

He said it is not hoping against hope but "hoping for hope."

He cited that the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry is lobbying with ALI in Manila to reconsider its decision to pull out from the project.

Marañon said one suggestion is for ALI and SM to share the development project.

"This could be a win-win solution," he said.

Meanwhile, Marañon said he has not created yet a committee to study the situation if ALI finally pulls out from the project.

"There is no committee created for that purpose yet," he clarified. He said this is so because there are negotiations being made as of the moment.

The supposed mutual disengagement from the project has not been consummated yet, Marañon said.

The Capitol-ALI contract was already approved by the central office of the Commission on Audit.