City to contest Bredco's alleged 25-year permit to operate from PPA
BACOLOD CITY -- The city government has still a lot of remedies despite the alleged issuance of Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) of Bredco's permit to operate the port.
City Legal Officer Atty. Allan Zamora said they will file a petition to PPA as soon as they will receive the resolution from the Sangguniang Panglungsod giving the mayor the authority to apply for the permit, for and in behalf of the city of Bacolod.
"Let's wait for the resolution so that the mayor has basis of his move," Zamora added.
Earlier, Bredco's lawyer Jack Maalat confirmed they already got the permanent permit to operate the port for a period of 25 years from PPA two weeks ago.
"The company will do something also to protect its rights under the law and Comprehensive Revised Reclamation Agreement (CRRA) if the city will question PPA's approval," Maalat said.
But PPA Port Manager in Negros Occidental Engr. Enrique Puentebaja denied reports of approval after he called-up their central office in Manila, specifically the Commercial Services Department, stating that there are no records so far on Bredco's renewal.
"If it is for 25 years, it is permanent already with no less than the Board of Directors approving it," Puentebaja said.
"The city or any party can question the approval but everything should undergo the usual due process of law," he added.
Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson on the other hand argued that there was misrepresentation on the part of Bredco because the actual operator now is Top Harbor International Inc.
"We will convince PPA by stating the violations made by Bredco on the provisions of CRRA so that our position will become stronger and the permit should be revoked," Sayson added.