Thursday, November 29, 2007 Council passes port takeover bill on 2nd reading By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
THE City Government's plan to take over port management from the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (Bredco) is nearing fruition with the City Council's passage on second reading of the port takeover ordinance.
In a 6-6 voting, it was Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson who broke the tie Wednesday in favor of the port takeover bill.
Asked for comment, one of the Bredco top officials (name withheld) said, "We're ready for any eventuality. Definitely, it will be the court that would decide later for what is really the best for us."
Bredco president Simplicio Palanca aired the stand in media interviews. He said he wants to see city officials in court soon.
Palanca said he has been under a lot of stress because of the issue.
He is confident though that they will win the case using as evidence the Comprehensive Revised Reclamation Agreement (CRRA) documents.
Under CRRA, Bredco was given the right to manage the city port at the Reclamation Area for 12 years since 1995.
And under the agreement, Bredco is mandated to pay the City Government P800,000 monthly on port rentals and other services.
On the other hand, the ordinance lays down the basic policies, guidelines, rules, and procedures in the protection of the City's ownership of the Bredco port portion (only), and the running and operating of the port enlisting the aid of pertinent government agencies.
Those who voted Wednesday night for the passage of the ordinance were Councilors Dindo Ramos, Greg Gasataya, Homer Bais, Celia Flor, Al Victor Espino, Bobby Rojas and Sayson as the tiebreaker.
Those against it were Councilors Wilson Gamboa, Jr., Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Reynold Iledan, Catalino Alisbo, and Marx Louie de la Rosa.
Councilor Alex Paglomutan who abstained was counted as a negative vote.
Despite Ramos's willingness to accept position papers, Sayson noted Gamboa's opposition.
Gamboa said the ordinance is abuse of authority and anti-business.
"The takeover ordinance is taking matters and the law into its (City Government's) own hands," Gamboa also said.
On its being anti-business, Gamboa said, "The takeover bid will definitely send the wrong signal to the business community and investors that the government could just unilaterally take away business even when covered by contracts."
Gamboa admitted Bredco violated certain terms and conditions of the contract but for the City to take over the port on such grounds is confiscatory.
