BACOLOD City Mayor Monico Puentevella said on Monday he will give the operator of the Bacolod Northbound Terminal a chance to comply with the requirements of the City Council before he makes a decision “for the interest of the people.”
Businessman Crispin Chua, operator of the terminal, has been required by the City Council to address the deficiencies in the terminal operations and provide the Council committee on transportation and traffic management copies of all the contracts he had entered into with the lessors and businesses operating within the terminal.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., committee vice chairman, said Chua failed to obtain occupancy and building permits for the building in the departure area and failed to pay the franchise taxes and obtain the necessary business permit for 2012 and 2011.
He also had no approval of the City Council in the charging of terminal fees, he added.
Puentevella said he will respect the decision of the Council on the matter.
If Chua cannot comply, he will make the decision for the good of the people of Bacolod, the mayor said.
Puentevella said he will make the decision after a thorough review and after giving Chua a chance to explain his side.
“Before I decide to close the terminal or offer it to another investor, I will give him a chance,” the mayor said.
Puentevella had earlier said he is considering the need to transfer the Northbound Terminal from the boundary of Bacolod City and Talisay City to another location because of alleged violations committed by the operator and also because of complaints from commuters.
For his part, Chua said he is open to any investor who might be interested to operate the terminal as long as he is refunded all his expenses.