• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The defunct Maricalum Mining Corporation (MMC), which used to operate the Bulata Port in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, owes the Cauayan municipal government P90 million in taxes, disclosed Mayor John Rey Tabujara on September 27.
Tabujara said he has information that the provincial government of Negros Occidental won its case against MMC two months ago.
From there, we can start by collecting taxes (from MMC), said Tabujara, who led the 1st Bamboo Festival in Cauayan during the weekend, noting that the uncollected P90 million taxes, from several previous administrations, was already long overdue.
MMC reportedly stopped its operations in 2001.
The municipal government of Cauayan had been asking the help of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to revive the Bulata Port to boost its local economy.
In order for us to have a big income, we need industrialization, Tabujara said, adding that he has been asking help from the governor to reopen the Bulata Port.
In a press briefing, Tabujara said that Tsuneishi, a Japanese firm, has already visited him several times as they are interested in putting up an “export port” instead of a ship building facility at the Bulata Port.
Since there are a lot of issues to consider, especially its environmental impact, noting that it is near Danjugan Island, a marine sanctuary, Tabujara said “I need the support of the province.”
If the export port project pushes through, the mayor said it will boost the economy of Cauayan, with additional jobs for Cauayanons.
Tabujara also noted that the 45-hectare Bulata Port now has many claimants, with numerous beach resorts now being established.
Cauayan is now a first class municipality, with a National Tax Allocation of P540 million, according to the mayor.
But Tabujara said they cannot apply for cityhood since their local income is about P40 million annually. It should be P100 million, he added.
But Tabujara said that they are already qualified in terms of the land area and population requirements.*
