The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed a resolution urging an early resolution by the Commission of Audit of its review of the proposed negotiated deed of conditional sale and contract of lease of the 7.7- hectare property of the provincial government in Bacolod City to Ayala Land Inc., Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. said yesterday.

The provincial government had submitted the documents to the COA for review on July 22, 2011 as a result of the negotiated sale and lease conducted after two failed biddings, the resolution said.

The contracts were submitted to the COA in compliance with Section 380 of the Local Government Code of 1991 that states that “property no longer needed may also be disposed of at a private sale at such price as may be determined by the Committee on Awards subject to approval by the Commission on Audit,” the resolution added.

The SP said the Negros Occidental contracts have not been acted on despite the absence of legal impediments or constraints from proceeding.

The sale and lease of the property is needed by the provincial government to raise revenues to help defray its expenses in the implementation of plans, programs and projects in keeping with its mandate to provide and deliver basic goods and services for the general public, the SP resolution said.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. has also repeatedly appealed to the COA to act on the contracts.

Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas has promised the governor he will follow up the status of the contracts at the COA.

Marañon said the recent dismissal by the Court of Appeals of a petition and motion for reconsideration filed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. to halt the sale and lease of the 7.7-hectare is a vindication.

The proceeds from the sale and lease of the property will benefit the people of Negros Occidental because it will be used for various projects involving education, health and livelihood, the governor said.

The Ayala development will also change the landscape of Bacolod City and create thousands of jobs, he added.*CPG

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