Lapu-Lapu City as “little Singapore”?

CEBU, Philippines —  A P3.7-billion worth of socialized housing and urban development project will soon rise in Barangay Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City following the signing of a joint venture agreement between the city government and a private developer last Tuesday.

The project which immediately broke ground on a 128-hectare property will allegedly transform the city into a “Little Singapore.”

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and Engr. Francis Lloyd Chua, president of Premium MegaStructures Inc. (PMI), led the groundbreaking ceremony last Tuesday.

Chan said that 25 hectares will be dedicated for socialized housing while the remaining 103 hectares will be utilized for commercial and industrial developments.

The mayor said the socialized housing will be completed in two years and is expected to accommodate at least 3,000 household beneficiaries.

“This is another ‘City’ a little city because this 25-hectare, aduna siyay adjoining nga 103-hectare development, industrial, commercial, mixed ni siya nga mas daghan pa nga ilang mahimo panginabuhian sa maong area, mas bibo pa kaysa ilang gipuy-an ang ilang kabalhinan,” Chan said.

Earlier, the City Council passed a resolution authorizing Chan to enter into a joint venture agreement with the PMI.

The council resolution states that on March 26, 2003 then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation 346 reserving a 25.24-hectare area in Barangay Canjulao for urban development and socialize housing.

Chan said the previous administration allegedly failed to implement the presidential proclamation.

With the realization of this project, the mayor said that this is one of the city’s infrastructure projects that will transform the city into a “Little Singapore”.

The mayor added that among the beneficiaries of this project are those living along the city’s shorelines.

“Gatosan ka mga pamilya nga anaa nagpuyo kilid sa atong kadagatan ang dili na mahadlok nga mabanlas ang ilang kabalayan kung adunay dagkong unos ug liboan sab ka mga pamilya nga membro sa urban poor ang dili na makulbaan nga i-demolish ang ilang mga pinuy-anan. Ang nakanindot pa gyud niini, walay maski sentimo ang ipagawas nga pundo gikan sa atong kagamhanan kay usa kini ka PPP Project kon Private Public Partnership Project,” Chan posted on Facebook. — FPL (FREEMAN)