The Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro conducted a public hearing on the Proposed 3-year Rent Adjustment Program for CY 2022-2024 on 18 March 2022.

Representatives from the lessees, several government offices, and other concerned agencies were invited to the event and were welcomed by Port Services Division Manager Ruby O. Gumapon. Ms. Lolita Cabanlet, Acting President of Phil-Export was designated as the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel composed of representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Finance – Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF), and Marine Industry Authority (MARINA).

The Public Hearing started with the presentation from the Business Development/Marketing Officer, Jorice A. Naranjo, on the legal bases and history of rent adjustments to justify the proposed increase in land and building rental rates for CY 2022-2024. One of the main points of the presentation was the 2-decade period wherein the PMO did not implement any rent adjustment.  On the other hand, the Senior Corporate Accountant, Mr. Jazreil Vallente presented the derivation of the rental rates based on fair market values from BIR, third-party appraisal, and assessor’s office, among others, and the rates proposed in the 3-year rent adjustment program.

During the open forum, attendees of the public hearing expressed their concerns on the subject matter. The concern raised by Engr. Avalyn Cahulogan of Oro Chamber on the timeliness of the implementation earned remarks from the hearing panel. The PMO was commended for their fair and just formulation of the rent adjustment, however, with the ongoing pandemic and the disruptive war happening in neighboring countries, it was suggested that the implementation be on a later date, to which Ms. Lolita Cabanlet of Phil-Export, the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel, informed the attendees that they will be utilizing the five-day period to formulate a position paper.

Results of the public hearing including comments/recommendations from the participants were forwarded to PPA Head Office for further evaluation. Similarly, position papers received by the PMO were also forwarded to Manila.