SP to pose objection on renewal of PPA's permit to Bredco
BACOLOD CITY – In today's regular session, Councilor Dindo Ramos, who also sits as the Chairman of the Committee on Laws, will pass a resolution opposing the 'permit to operate the port' application made by Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (Bredco) to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Ramos said he will raise the issue on the floor based on the letter of former councilor and lawyer Lyndon Caña which was furnished to the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
Aside from their opposition to the application, they will also inform PPA of their intent to apply for permit to operate the port, as the owner.
Caña wrote Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) respectfully requesting that no permit be issued to Bredco upon its application for renewal for 2009 as well as the letter addressed to them suggesting what is good for the city now.
The former councilor also sent a letter to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and the Sangguniang Panglungsod Members, suggesting that proper communication be made by the city to PPA head office, to:
1. strongly oppose any application made by Bredco;
2. inform PPA Head Office of Bredco's unilateral ceding and assigning of its exclusive rights to operate the Port to a total stranger, the TOP Harbor International Inc.;
3. and for the city itself, as owner of the ports at the reclamation area, to apply for permit to operate the port (which permit it can re-bid out or contract with other entities).
Ramos personally support the suggestions made by Caña but he doesn't know if his colleagues will also support it.
"As the owner of the port, the permit should be granted to the city and the city has the right to delegate it to another port operator or investor", Ramos said.
Fomer Vice-Mayor Renecito Novero, Breco's lawyer, in his text message said pending litigation; everything is in order as far as Bredco is concerned.
"Well, let's see how PPA will consider his quest," he added.
The permit to operate the port of Bredco is due to expire on February 2009 and under PPA rules, an application for renewal of permit is made at least six months before the expiration.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, one of the proponents of the controversial Ordinance No. 454 or the “take-over ordinance" said he doesn't read Caña's letter but he welcomed other means for the city to defend its right.
"But my stand does not change, I go for the port take-over and I guess the ball now is in the executive to implement the ordinance," Espino added.
City Legal Officer Atty. Allan Zamora, chairman of Task Force Take-Over already made a statement that as far the execution of an ordinance is concerned, they will, but as part of their precautionary measure, it is good to wait for the resolution of TRO filed by Bredco.
Ordinance 454 is now pending for almost a year now before the honorable court and until this time no resolution on the nullification case filed by Bredco's lawyer lead by Novero.
Both parties, the city and Bredco, already submitted its memoranda to court for the resolution of Bredco's prayer for the issuance of temporary restraining order and injunction but due to additional pleadings, the court still on the process of weighing it, whether he will grant it or not.