BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA & MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – The developer that submitted to the city government an unsolicited private-public partnership proposal for a reclamation project is contesting the application of another firm’s expansion development.
Almana Property and Development Corporation (APDC) president Ritchie Neil Corpus, in a letter dated Jan. 9, objected to Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation’s (BREDCO) Resolution of No Objection granted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
BREDCO seeks an additional 25-hectare extension of foreshore land reclamation under its existing Comprehensive Revised Reclamation Agreement with the city government.
In a corresponding letter from BREDCO president Jose Antonio Alonte Jr., it was clarified that BREDCO possesses a Miscellaneous Lease Agreement (MLA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spanning 25 years, from July 19, 2004 until July 13, 2029, underscoring BREDCO’s right to the properties under the MLA, even predating Corpuz’s land acquisition.
APDC submitted a proposal to Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez on Nov. 25, 2022 for the Almana Global Business District Project, which encompasses the reclamation and development of foreshore land along the coastline of Barangay 16 in this city.
Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr., also the secretariat of the city’s private-public partnership for the people, confirmed that they are yet to reply to APDC’s proposal.
He justified that the city had earlier sought clarification from DENR to assure there was no legal impediment to accepting the said proposal.
“Amo to nag-clarify kami sa DENR, pero asta subong wala kami kabaton sang sabat,” the legal officer said.
Ting added that APDC has the right to file an opposition or take any legal action on the matter. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
