Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella yesterday said he will create a committee that will study the advantages of having two ports operating in Bacolod City.

If Bacolod has two ports, the transportation fare and port fees could be lower, he said, adding, “We are talking about the greater good for Bacolod.”

The Bacolod City Development Council passed a resolution approving the request for endorsement of the Philippine Ports Authority for a zone delineation of the Banago port in Bacolod City last May.

Puentevella said his management style involves consultation so they will ask the businessmen if they want monopoly or free enterprise and will listen to their decision.

He claimed that no informal settler will be affected by the development of the Banago port.

“Do not touch the squatters because what we are working on is the port. We are not talking about the residents,” Puentevella said. They are only after the development of the Banago port to make it acceptable to investors, he said.

Puentevella said he also wants the reclamation work in Banago undertaken by the city and not by other investors.

A congressional investigation was conducted by the House Committee on Urban Housing and Development led by Rep. Alfredo Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental) on July 2 in Brgy. Banago after more than 200 families are opposing opposed expansion project of the Philippine Ports Authority at the Banago Port.

Benitez said they have conducted a congressional investigation in response to mounting complaints of the Banago barangay officials and residents, in order that a government agency understands that it cannot start a project without considering first the plight and condition of informal settlers.

Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia, a member of the committee, recalled that while he was still the mayor, the PPA request to develop the Banago port was deferred for approval, as they took into consideration the sentiments of the affected populace.

He stressed that he is not against the development of Banago Port. However, the welfare and wellbeing of the people there should not be sacrificed in the name of development, he said.

Asked for his reaction on the inspection conducted by the congressmen in the Banago port last week, Puentevella said that is their job although he was surprised to hear problems involving the squatters. He is just concerned that business will resume at the Banago port, he said.

If the congressmen want to talk to the businessman he is willing to be their referee, he said.

Puentevella said he may announce next week the composition of the committee. It will be composed of businessmen because they will talking about business in Bacolod, he said.

The Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp., that operates the Bacolod City Port had earlier issued an appeal to the Bacolod City government not to approve the request of the PPA for a zonal delineation to develop the Banago Port.

In answer to claims that Banago Port is not competing, but complimenting the BREDCO Port, Benitez said there is need to establish first the objective of the development of the Banago port.

Benitez was accompanied by Leonardia, Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano, Akbayan partylist Rep. Barry Gutierrez and AKO BICOL partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe, who are also members of his committee, during the site inspection of the Banago Port.*CGS

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