Davide brings home investment prospects

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has claimed to have convinced possible investors from Japan to partner with the provincial government to develop its properties, including those that have been idled.

Davide described his one-week visit to Japan to attend the International Forum on Public-Private Partnership in Tokyo as “fruitful.”

He is optimistic that those potential investors that he was able to convince to come to Cebu would eventually pour in investments.

“It (visit) was fruitful, productive, at the same time educational… We were able to engage with them to come to Cebu. They expressed interest in coming here and share their best practices. Nangutana na pod sila unsay prospects ug unsay mga kinahanglan,” he told reporters.

Davide is specifically pushing for the development of the idled 4,200-square meter Baex property inside the Capitol compound in partnership with the private sector.

The province is planning to replace the old building with a new high-rise structure that would have both public and commercial purposes. A disaster risk reduction and management resource and command center is also eyed to be established in the proposed new building.

 Davide said disaster preparedness is among the province’s thrusts because of the recent calamities that visited the province. He said the province would also generate income from the operation of the proposed project.

 The Baex building used to house the offices of the Provincial Auditor, Provincial Women’s Commission, Provincial Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Government-Cebu. It was declared unsafe for occupancy after it was severely damaged by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in October 2013.

 Davide also mentioned the possibility of developing the Cebu South Bus Terminal into a mixed-use complex through a public-private partnership scheme, and the improvement of health facilities and equipment in the province are ongoing.

He said the province will have to officially send invitation to Japanese investors the soonest time possible. — (FREEMAN)