City council tackles road closure problem
BACOLOD CITY -- Committee on Laws chairman Councilor Dindo Ramos yesterday led the public hearing regarding the complaint of residents of Purok Langis, Brgy. Banago that will be affected by the impending closure of a road by Proxima Realty and Development Corporation.
The closure will take effect on February 15, as decided by the property owner.
Ramos, together with his members Councilors Greg Gasataya and Al Victor Espino as well as with City Planning and Development Officer Lemuel Reynaldo, attended the hearing in order to come out with possible solutions to the problem.
Proxima lawyer Atty. Rodolfo Dalisay represented the company in the said hearing at the New Government Center.
"We are here to bridge the issue between the affected residents and the management of Proxima and come-up with possible win-win solution to the problem," Ramos said.
Since the road used by the people as their gateway going to their houses inside is a private property, Ramos said the city has nothing to do except to expropriate it but due to budget constraints it's very impossible unless it's very necessary and decided by the mayor.
Some possible options reached after the hearing is to appeal to the management to extend the deadline while doing some negotiations. Another is to ask the management to give the people even a portion of the acquired property for their road-right-of-way.
As to the complaint of some trisikad drivers that their livelihood would also be affected, Ramos said they will also appeal to the management to give priority the time there are job opportunities especially on the construction side.
"We wanted a smooth and harmonious relationship between the management and the people around," he added.
The Committee on Laws will submit its committee report on the outcome of the hearing to the august body for proper disposition and is expected to pass a resolution of appeal to the management of Proxima Realty Development Corporation.