Osmeña open to BOT scheme from investors

CEBU - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he is willing to accept build-operate-transfer scheme for those who want to invest at the South Road Properties, but said it is only at the place where the former Kawit Island is located.

The mayor said any businessman can establish a port at the area for the “roll-on-roll off” vessel or fast craft and he can be allowed to operate it for a period of at least 50 years.

He said he may also allow BOT scheme at the other areas of SRP, but only for selected kinds of business such as those who want to operate a plant that will supply steam that could be used to operate air-conditioning units for establishments.

The SRP is also located just a kilometer away from the Cebu City Sanitary Landfill in barangay Inayawan. Earlier, there was a proposal to convert the garbage at the facility into energy to be used to operate air-conditioning units of the future establishments at the SRP but did not materialize.

Meanwhile, Osmeña is hoping once the City Council approves the guidelines and procedures for the joint venture agreement involving the use of SRP, more investors would be encouraged to invest at the 295-hectare reclamation project.

But the mayor said that while the city is eager to sell the SRP to investors, proposed investments have to undergo rigid evaluation to determine if they are not disadvantageous to the city.

Osmeña earlier said that the city will soon bid out 30 hectares of lot at the SRP near the foot of the viaduct at P8,000 to 12,000 per square meter.

The sale of the SRP was delayed because the City Council approved the suggested price of the lots only two months ago. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)