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Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Cebu port operations to be replicated in Bacolod
By Roberto L. Bacasong
CEBU CITY -- Bacolod Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said she will echo her observations on the ports of Toledo and Mandaue in Cebu and of Tagbilaran City in Bohol to the members of the Bacolod City Council.
These observations might prove vital to the ongoing review being made by the City Council on the Bacolod Real Estate and Development Corporation (Bredco).
Batapa-Sigue, chairman of the committee on women and gender, said the trip of the Bacolod tri-media and city officials to Cebu province and Bohol is very timely amid the controversy hounding the City Government and Bredco.
The councilor also stressed that the review of the Comprehensive Revised Reclamation Agreement (CRRA) should not be politicized by the local governance academy.
Toledo City Mayor Arlene Zambo said their port is the gateway to Cebu and Negros Occidental.
She added that the port, managed and operated by the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), is a subsidiary of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Zambo admitted to the members of the Bacolod City Hall Press Corps that there is an existing conflict between her city and the CPA.
She also said that the collected and generated earnings and incomes all go to the CPA.
The only income they generated from the port was the toll fee collection. Though, there is less harmonious relationship between the two factions, Zambo said the city's officials appreciated the port's operation.
"Before, Toledo is just a nobody; we (even) don't have a budget for five years," said Zambo.
Zambo said her administration is promoting the city in terms of "Wow Toledo", which took effect with the help of the City Council.
"They (CPA) don't even coordinate with us and even blocked our projects," noted Zambo.
Meanwhile, Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano said the port is also managed by the PPA.
Ouano added that Mandaue is an industrial city wherein the reclaimed land are being occupied by San Miguel Corporation, furniture stores, heavy equipment company, among others.
Ouano, referred to as one of the richest mayors in the Philippines, said they are very friendly to investors.
"The secret of maintaining peace and order is by providing employment opportunities," revealed the mayor.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim also said their port is also managed by the PPA.
Lim said they only income from the port by paying of taxes to the city. He also admitted that he doesn't have executive assistants or a city administrator to help him in the governance.
He revealed that he only has 300 casual employees working in the city. He added that one of the booming industries in his city is tourism.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia paid a courtesy call to Lim and Ouano, who were both his friends in the political arena.
Leonardia led the 29-member delegation of the city including Councilor Homer Bais, chairman of the committee on tourism; Imogene Kana-an, city tourism officer, among others.
Moreover, Batapa-Sigue categorically said that if there has been any violation on the operation of Bredco it must be proven in legal procedures.
(June 7, 2005 issue)
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