Bredco port founder passes away at 98

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Atty. Simplicio Palanca, founder and chairman of the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco), passed away last Saturday at the age of 98.

No details were provided as to the cause of his death, though he had been confined in a private hospital here for some time.

Atty. Palanca, fondly called as the “old man by the sea,” was behind the establishment of the Bredco port in 1961 that provided many jobs and opportunities for Bacolodnons and Negrenses.

Aside from that, Palanca also envisioned the creation of the Magikland Park, the first outdoor theme park in the Visayas, which was constructed on a four-hectare lot in Silay City. It showcases amusement rides based on Negros folklore and was expected to attract patrons in the Visayas.

Magikland Park is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

In a statement, Negros Occidental third district Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, said that their family lost two giants last week, whose wisdom and generosity have been a constant source of inspiration and guidance.

Benitez also referred to Dr. Ernesto Palanca, who passed away at the age of 86 on July 6.

Dr. Palanca was the executive director of the Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Center in Victorias City that provides treatment and rehabilitation to drug dependents in the province for 17 years now.

Benitez said that “their vision and strong sense of civic duty have changed the economic landscape of Bacolod and transformed the lives of so many Negrosanons.”