A resolution requesting the Mayor through the City Legal Officer to explore the legal possibility of the city operating the toll gate business involving the roadlot leading to the BREDCO port, was unanimously passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday.

Authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos, the resolution also requested that, if possible, the collection of toll fee, be momentarily stopped pending determination of who has the exclusive right to operate the toll gate business.

The resolution said the local government of Bacolod City is the owner of all the roadlots within the reclamation area, based on the memorandum of agreement forged between BREDCO and the city. It said that, being the owner of the roadlots, the city has all the rights and interests to regulate the same and to enjoy whatever fruits and benefits which may be derived out of these roadlots.

Presently, BREDCO is the one operating the toll gate business involving the roadlot leading towards the BREDCO port area despite the fact that the ownership of the same belongs to the city, the resolution said. The increase in the toll gate charges were made even without the consent and authority of the city government, which is real owner of the roadlot, it said.

The resolution also said that it would be legally improbable for any individual or entity to regulate the use of the roadlots owned by the city government and further, it would be highly irregular for BREDCO or for any entity to make business out of the properties of the city without its full consent and authority.

It also said the collection of toll fee out of the use of a city street is devoid of factual and legal basis and thus, the immediate intercession of the Bacolod City government in imposing its rights as owner is most appropriate under the present circumstances.*CGS

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