Southbound operators
case vs. city dismissed
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Regional Trial Court dismissed for lack of merit the complaint filed by the four southbound public utility vehicle operators seeking the declaration of nullity and unconstitutionality of City Ordinance No. 187 and Memorandum Order No. 114 injunction for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction with damages,.

The petition was filed by Nenita Peters, Rizalina Alon, Noel Moncay and Jovito Gahataon before the RTC on Sept. 12, 2011 against Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Police Chief Inspector Luisito Acebuche of the Bacolod Traffic Authority, City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan, Bacolod City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz and four department heads, and involved the closure of the waiting station in Libertad.

 The bus operators claimed that C.O. 187 and Memorandum 114 are unconstitutional or invalid, and that this implementation, in a despotic and whimsical manner violates the constitutionality enshrined equal protection clause of the 1987 Constitution, and deprived them of their purely private property rights without due process of law.

Work has began for the construction of the P449.8 million three-storey Negros Cyber Center at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

The construction is being undertakenE.M. Cuerpo Inc. and Dynamic Builders and Construction Inc. that has began ground clearing work for the building that will face Lacson and Hernaez streets.

The Cyber Center is being built for lease to information technology firms planning to set up operations in Bacolod City, to create more jobs in Negros Occidental, the governor said.

The manager of SM City-Bacolod announced that ShoeMart is investing P2.5 billion for the construction of a three-storey building and the expansion of their mall in the city, at the opening of the exhibit of the Bacolod City government at the West Bridge of SM City yesterday.

The exhibit titled “Progreso sang Bacolod”, depicting the progress brought to Bacolod City by the administration of Mayor Evelio Leonardia, will run until March 8.

George Jardiolin, SM mall manager, yesterday said the expansion will accommodate an additional 150 tenants or more,and will surely spur the economic growth of the city.