MikeLigalig.com

By Bohol Chronicle

A litmus test, often an indicator of success or failure is now being applied to two contending parties - the LGU of Panglao led by the feisty Mayor Dodong Alcala and a group of tourism stakeholders led by a motley group of local and foreign businessmen.

Branch 48 Presiding Judge Pablo R. Magdoza granted the manifestation of both parties for a self imposed one month mediation period to reconfigure a botched deal that would hopefully work towards a negotiated settlement.

But Magdoza warned both parties that the case will be deemed submitted for decision for failure to craft an agreement that would end more than eight months of acrimonious legal proceedings.

Lawyers for both parties assured the court that they would break out of the impasse after trading barbs on and off the court after accusations of bad faith marred a three hour "make or break" meeting brokered by no less than Governor Edgar Chatto several months back.

Bouyed by the success of the recently held Panglao Tourism Summit, the contending parties is slated to meet again with Chatto

But a heated argument ensued inside the court room seconds after Magdoza banged the gavel to end the hearing after Neil Weyh, diving operator together with some of the petitioners told Alcala to his face they have lost trust on his word after reneging on his promise during the meeting to amend certain provisions of the assailed municipal ordinance and the Executive Order (EO).

But the embattled Alcala brushed off the groups accusations saying that there is a limit to the demands of the petitioners and he is bound to protect the interest of the municipality and mot the narrow demands of the group especially the foreigners.

"Nganong sila may magbuot dinhi. Sila maoy nakaingon aning gubot," fumed Alcala.

David Bailley, a tourist inn operator although not one of the petitioners explained to the Mayor that all the stakeholders are annoyed by the mayor's pussyfooting on issues and reminded Alcala of the countless times that the Mayor backed off from his promises.

Alcala retorted that all his moves are based on the law and lamented the loss of potential earnings Panglao is experiencing due to the Injunction filed by the petitioners.

"Nawad-an mi ug kapin sa P700T kada buwan sukad niining TRO ug injunction. Kining kantidad mao na unta ni ang magamit sa pagpatuman sa Environmental User's Fee (EUF)".

Bailley also deplored Alcala for demonizing the foreign business community in the airlanes even as he pointed out to the Mayor that all their moves are for the good of the tourism business in Panglao.

But Alcala stood his ground reminding Bailley that by next year, as promised he will be a "new Alcala" implementing the law to the letter especially on the observance of the 20M salvage zone.

Alcala admitted that "tinuod, ako'y nakaingon ining problema nga gi-atubang sa Panglao tungod kay sobra ra ko ka mangiloy-on".

Having run Panglao for almost three decades as Mayor starting in 1986 as OIC Mayor, "Dodong" as he is fondly called by his constituents promised to put an end to his kindness and laxity and reinvent himself as a no nonsense Mayor.

Bailley welcomed the Mayor's promised make-over telling Alcala to just implement the law with fairness.

If the heated exchange of words between the petitioners and respondents are portends of things to come then perhaps the goose that lays so many golden eggs would be facing a bleak future.(CMV)

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