BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod Reclamation Gateway Corp. (BRGC) is requesting the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod to be granted a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) for a reclamation project in Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City.
In his letter to Councilor Al Victor Espino dated July 25, BRGC corporate counsel Dindo Ramos said the reclamation project involves an area of about 247.84 hectares, to be undertaken along the shores of Banago, which adjoins their properties registered under Transfer Certificate of Titles namely; TCT No. 092-2014004915 and TCT No. 092-2014004914.
Ramos said the RONO is just one of the many documentary requirements necessary before their reclamation project can even be considered by various appropriate government agencies authorized to approve the same.
Hence, all other issues such as environmental concern, financial capability to bankroll the project and its viability will undergo the scrutiny of and will obtain the imprimatur of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Department of Public Works and Highways. Thus, the proponent still has to satisfy the conditions set by these government agencies before the PRA can act for an area clearance, he said.
Ramos said the reclamation project, if realized, will generate necessary revenues for the city government such as real property taxes, business taxes, and building permit fees, not to mention the employment opportunities that will be available for the residents of the City of Bacolod.
“Hence, our government encourages the collaboration of the private sector and the government in community building through its public-private-partnership (PPP) scheme. In fact, the city council through Councilor Em Ang as author, passed a novel ordinance institutionalizing the same,” Ramos said.
This reclamation project which their company envisions is a product of such innovation wherein the private sector will pour in its resources in a locality with the assistance and guidance of the local government thru the grant of the RONO, he said.
The reclamation project will decongest traffic in the city and will afford more options to its people. In short, it will bring development and more economic activities in the city but the same will not be materialized without the much-needed assistance from the city government through the city council’s positive action on their request, Ramos added.*
