BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
ON JULY 10, 2021, Bacolod City lost someone who acted like a protagonist but often misunderstood because of his gigantic dream for the city – create a land for quantum economic growth.
He was Atty. Simplicio A. Palanca: quintessential – strong, silent, but self-contained.
Through his mortal creations – 250 hectares of Bacolod reclamation area and five hectares of seaport – Bacolod is now enjoying a robust economy.
Such also propelled Bacolod to cop an award as one of the most competitive highly urbanized and top model cities in the country.
Atty. Palanca was no ordinary being therefore. He dreamt the impossible and made it a reality. Though he was a Victorias City native, he didn’t hesitate of dreaming Bacolod having a “tiger economy” in the whole Visayas.
Too, he “prophesied” to create land out of nowhere so others could do business. He was ridiculed and ostracized. He was even dubbed “ambisyoso” and “tayog” among other derisive brandings.
Worse, he was also politically persecuted through “character assassination” by some envious city officials who didn’t believe in him.
But Atty. Palanca didn’t succumb to any “peripheral” pressure. He weathered lots of “storms” instead. Slowly and silently, he did one thing after another, leading to his “prophecy”.
In 1961, he legally founded Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (BREDCO). Being president then, he made all the “nitty-gritty” chores just to secure a reclamation permit from the government agencies concerned.
Then, using his own resources and money, he started turning the city’s shore into a vast reclamation area.
In 1965, he met another legal challenge, this time, at the Supreme Court on the extension of the reclamation agreement. But he triumphed anew.
Lo and behold, during Bacolod’s and Negros Occidental’s “darkest era” in 1981 (due to a severe sugar crisis coupled with the infamous Don Juan sea tragedy), Atty. Palanca’s reclamation area hosted the visit of Pope John Paul II. It was historic and, perhaps, a matchless divine gathering. It was the moment, too, that people believed in his mission.
But politics remained so “cruel” to him. He was lambasted and labeled with some nasty monikers.
The reclamation area wasn’t spared by some cynics whose very intention was to ruin the old man.
In 1995, a Comprehensive Revised Reclamation Agreement (CRRA) was born between BREDCO and the city.
It was a binding pact that tells the public how much is the city’s share once the reclamation project is completed.
In 2007, however, Atty. Palanca and BREDCO made headlines again both in the local and national news. The city, under the leadership of Mayor Bing Leonardia and Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson, attempted to take over BREDCO port, including the operations and the development of the 61-hectare land property on the Bacolod reclamation area.
The city cited some of the violations committed by the BREDCO management in the course of land development in the reclamation area.
Two of these notable violations were:
1. The alleged transfer to Top Harbor International of BREDCO’s franchise to operate the port and reclaim an additional 61 hectares of foreshore land.
2. The alleged BREDCO failure to pay the P800,000 annual rental fee for the port and collection of toll fees on vehicle entering the port area.
Atty. Palanca and his legal team fought the city’s “Take-Over Ordinance” in court. The media, of course, “feasted” with the issue that lasted for about six years. But the old man won in 2013.
Atty. Palanca heaved a sigh of relief, and focused to fulfill his unfinished commitments.
But at age 94, he physically deteriorated, having no choice, but to stay in the hospital.
While i the hospital, he assured everyone that he will conclude his dream still.
And yes, on record, prior to his demise at 98, Atty. Palanca’s BREDCO reclaimed a total of 250 hectares of land, and made another five hectares of seaport of international standards just within.
His “creation” is now home to a giant mall, religious tower, luxury condominiums, bay walk area, restaurants, seaport, world-class seaport terminal, logistical bodegas, world-class hotels, and a premier university soon.
All these made Bacolod reclamation “a city within the city”.
However, it’s lamentable that his death wasn’t given much attention compared to the unregistered piaya of Bongbong’s Pasalubong with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Not “nerve-racking” to say. Though city officials expressed their condolences and sympathies via mainstream and social media, such wasn’t enough yet. Something is really “missing” or “lacking” in the way the city government treated the guy.
Atty. Palanca died a bachelor but married to his vision and commitments.
The fruits of his labors are now being enjoyed by the current and future generations.
His mission and vision were fulfilled for every one of us to really savor the best of his wisdom and handiwork. He was truly a “lighthouse” for Bacolodnons and Negrosanons.
Though he’s gone, his “creations” that borne lots of “goodness” for the city and province are still there shining for all of us.
Declaring July 18, 2021 as “Atty. Simplicio A. Palanca Day”, I think, ain’t sufficient still.
The city, instead, must know how to put Atty. Palanca in a pedestal where he will be considered a hero who fought his battle silently for the sake of the city’s economic prosperity.
Councilor Renecito “Inoy” Novero described Atty. Palanca as a very generous guy. His (Atty. Palanca’s) heart “bled” for the poor, confided Inoy, Atty. Palanca’s personal, professional and political confidante.
His mantra: “Everybody, happy!” Helping the poor and the needy, Inoy added, was his ultimate joy. He was a philanthropist by heart and an extraordinary person by mind. But his exceptional humility made him peerless.
Atty. Palanca, Inoy said, while in the hospital also donated P70 million for the construction of the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center (BAMC) Medical Arts Building. The said edifice will house 56 doctors’ clinics, a pharmacy, and a physical therapy service center.
Silay City’s “Magikland” was also his “brainchild”.
All these and more formed part of Atty. Palanca’s trade mark – making the impossible truly possible for the people.
“The Old Man By the Sea” or “The Man Who Saw Tomorrow” or “Bacolod’s Uncle Sam” is gone. Bu his greatness beyond compare will surely linger among us.
Sans embellishment, Atty. Palanca (really) deserves to be hailed as the city’s newest hero./PN
