The Department of Environment and Natural Resources deferred the bidding for sale of prime lots along Gov. Pack Road pending issues and concerns to be resolved first. 

The deferment came also in wake of the granting of a temporary restraining order issued by a city court following a petition filed by a south bus terminal association opposing the bidding originally set from March 1 to 23. 

The prime lots under Original Certificate Title (OCT) 01 covers an aggregate area of 6,818 square meters. 

DENR Lands Management Services technical director Victor Carantes explained that even in the absence of the TRO, there would have been a deferment in view of instructions from DENR Sec. Horacio Ramos ordering the same. 

Carantes, who is also the chair of the regional bids and awards committee, explained to prospective bidders that the DENR was contemplating the deferment of the bidding for reasons that there might be some procedural lapses leading to the sales even right after the pre-bid conference was held on Feb. 9. 

The most auspicious time of the declaration of shelving as normally done in public sale of parcels of land by the DENR would be the day and time set for the bidding. 

Carantes, meanwhile, informed city mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. there was no clerical error or oversight in the projected sales of lots subject of the notices of sales. 

He added in his letter dated Feb. 19 the authority of the DENR in the disposition of portions of OCT 01 is clearly provided for under Act 3038 approved on March 9, 1922.  The act has authorized the secretary of agriculture and natural resources (now DENR) to sell or lease land of the private domain of the government. 

He further informed the mayor that the law authorized the director of lands to have direct executive control in the survey, classification, lease, sale, or any form of concession or disposition and management of public domain and his decision shall be conclusive when approved by the DENR secretary. 

Carantes added that the DENR has acted to some of the resolutions approved by the city council expressing the city government’s stakes on the prime lots along Gov. Pack Road.