Council studying proposal on Emars request

THE City Council of Davao is studying the City Economic Enterprise’s proposal relative to the request of the Emars Hotel, Restaurant and Beach Resort management to lift the closure order imposed against the establishment on December 2011.

The item was referred jointly to the committees on city-owned properties and housing, rural and urban development after the local lawmaking body approved it on first reading during Tuesday’s regular session.

Jose Elmario Guitadcan, assistant department head and manager of the City Economic Enterprise, had prepared a counter-proposal with three rental options for the Emars -- P30 per square meter per year or P927,000; P50 per square meter per year or P1,548,000; or P75 per square meter per year or P2,317,500.

The move came after Leonora D. Lim, president and CEO of LDL Realty Estate Corporation, and Anthony John D. Modequillo, proprietor of the Emars, appealed to lift the closure order initiated by the Business Bureau pending compliance of essential requirements, and consequently proposed a yearly rental of P240,000 per hectare per year, or P720,000 for all three hectares of City Government of Davao-owned property, which they have occupied along Times beach, Matina, Davao City.

Guintadcan said, however, that the City Economic Enterprise is optimistic that his second option, which is P1,548,000, is “sound and affordable” than the proposal of the Emars.

"The City Economic Enterprise interposes no objection for a provisional re-opening of Emars for six months provided the owner executes an Affidavit of Undertaking stipulating that they will voluntarily cease operation after said period if until such time a Lease Contract is not concluded between Emars and the City Government of Davao pursuant to the 2005 Revenue Code of Davao City," Guintadcan stated in his letter to the council.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered for the closure order against the resort on December 5, 2011 for failing to renew its business permit from 2009 to 2011.

According to the management, "the business had already suffered considerable losses, notwithstanding a great number of our workers that lost their jobs upon its closure a year ago."

Guintadcan suggested that legislative authority be sought for the city mayor to enter into and sign separate Lease of Contracts with both Emars and Queensland.

The entire area covered by Emars is 30,900 square meters. (ANC)