The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is supporting the call of the Negros Occidental provincial government and other groups for the Ayala Land Inc. to reconsider its “intent to disengage” from the development of the 7.7 hectares Provincial Capitol property, Councilor Homer Bais said yesterday.

The SP aired its support in a resolution authored by Bais and co-authored by Councilors Dindo Ramos and Al Victor Espino, which it approved Wednesday.

The resolution said the Commission on Audit recently approved the deed of conditional sale between the province and ALI involving the development of the 7.7 hectares Capitol property.

It said the provincial government and ALI are already legally bound to comply with their respective obligations under the contract upon the tender of the bid, and its subsequent declaration by the Bids and Awards Committee as the winning bidder.

The resolution said the unilateral withdrawal from the contract by ALI appears to be not in accordance with the laws and jurisprudence that could eventually affect the business climate in the province, and in Bacolod City in particular.

The realization of the project is labor and capital intensive that will promote further the already vibrant economy. It will exponentially benefit the residents of Bacolod City and the whole of Negros Island as a consequence, it said.

The SP also approved a resolution requesting the City Administrator through the Office of Mayor Evelio Leonardia to grant preference to Filipino citizens in the lease of vacant stalls or booths in public markets and to declare the nationalization of retail trade in the Bacolod City public markets.

Authored by Councilor Catalino Alisbo, the resolution said City Ordinance No. 160, Series of 1996, Chapter IV, Section 17, creates a market committee to conduct adjudication of vacant stalls or booths, adjudicate the transfer of stallholders from one section to another and recommend to the City Administrator such measures of actions on any problem in connection with the use and occupancy of stalls, booths or spaces in the city public market.

It said the City Administrator, who keeps the registry book of leaseholders of stalls or booths, must consider Republic Act No. 37 or an Act granting preference to Filipino citizens in the lease of public market stalls.*CGS

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