Cebu City eyes partnership with CPA

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia yesterday announced that he is set to meet with Cebu Port Authority (CPA) General Manager Francisco Comendador, III anytime today to “negotiate” several concerns.

These concerns would include, but not limited to, the revitalization of the Puso Village, the Compania Maritima, and the ongoing base port expansion at the back of the National Museum of the Philippines-Cebu.

This came after the Cebu City Council approved last Wednesday a resolution authorizing Garcia negotiate with the CPA for it to allow Cebu2World Development, Inc., the company implementing the Carbon Market Redevelopment Project, to continue the operation of the Puso Village and the mechanical parking, “without prejudice to the pending case”.

In a press conference, Garcia said he invited Comendador to meet him at City Hall or any other “neutral” location, so they could talk.

“I invited him. So, depending on his schedule, if he can come tomorrow, we will let you know,” Garcia told reporters yesterday.

He expressed his gratitude to the City Council for the resolution, which came after a privilege speech by City Councilor Joel Garganera.

Garcia said that his purpose is to work together with CPA for the good of the people and just leave the question on ownership of Compania Maritima to the courts.

“Dili…ta maglalis anang ownership kay naa na man na sa korte. Let the court decide who owns those properties. Ang importante now, magsabot ta to develop those properties,” he said.

In his privilege speech during their regular session last Wednesday, Garganera recalled the Joint Venture Agreement with Megawide Construction Corp. and its subsidiary, Cebu2World, on the redevelopment of Carbon Market and and the area near Compania Maritima, where the Puso Village sits.

Garganera reminded that the Puso Village was positioned as a “one-of-a-kind dining and shopping experience” that would surely attract Cebuanos and tourists, while the mechanical parking spot, which could accommodate 150 vehicles, would serve to compliment it.

“The Puso Village would have been the perfect place to end a tour because it is strategically placed near heritage sites: Fort San Pedro, Philippine National Museum-Cebu, Magellan’s Cross, the Basilica, and City Hall,” he said.

The councilor lamented that the Puso Village was not able to reach its full potential due to “disagreements between institutions”, leading to the loss of revenue for the City Government and local businesses; employment; and the opportunity to revitalize the area.

“To date, the Puso Village sits idly in the area, slowly losing its identity and value.  Further, the mechanical parking is slowly deteriorating and is left unused,” Garganera said.

Yesterday, Garcia said the economic impact of the conflict with CPA can be discussed during his meeting with Comendador, as he works towards making CPA a partner of the City instead of an enemy.

“Let’s talk with commonality—the commonality of wanting Cebu to grow and progress. Mao gyud nay ipagtibabaw,” he said. — /RHM (FREEMAN)