PPP eyed for six prov’l properties

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is eyeing to develop six of its properties, which some are found to be commercially viable, in Cebu City while another two idle ones have been recommended for disposition.

The technical support group of the province’s Economic Enterprise Council (EEC) found that the two properties located inside the Capitol compound, the Cebu South Bus Terminal, Larsian at Fuente Osmeña, a property in Sitio Sudlon in Lahug and another one located near Cebu Business Park are deemed suitable for development.

Lawyer Mark Tolentino, the Provincial Administrator and member of EEC, said they are looking at developing these properties through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement since the pro-vince cannot undertake the development by itself due to limited resources.

“There have been queries what properties will be put up for development… There are interested developers,” he told reporters during the Provincial Information Office’s Kapistorya forum yesterday.

He, however, said the realization of plans for these properties would not be easy as it would have to go through a lot of process like the appro-val of the EEC, Provincial Board, Commission on Audit for the properties to be sold or disposed, and the National Economic Development Authority.

For the 4,200-square meter Baex property inside the Capitol compound, for instance, the province is planning to replace the old building with a new high-rise structure which would have both public and commercial use.

A Disaster Risk Reduction and Management command center  and  Capitol offices would also be established in the new building.

The Baex building, which used to house the offices of the Provincial Auditor, Provincial Women’s Commission, Provincial Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Government-Cebu, became unusable after it incurred damage from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in October 2013.

The Cebu South Bus Terminal, on the other hand, which is situated along N. Bacalso Avenue, is also eyed for development with a private partner taking over its operation and maintenance. Incorporating commercial establishments in the facility is also being considered in the plan.

Governor Hilario Davide III, who chairs the ECC, earlier expressed favor on the plan of developing the facility, believing that the PPP scheme would help improve the facilities and address traffic concerns inside the terminal especially during peak seasons and rush hours.

Tolentino made it clear that while commercial aspect will be established in the terminal, its public services will remain in place.

He added that the pro-perties recommended for development are not occupied by informal settlers.

As to the two properties recommended for disposition, these are the ones situated in Busay area.

Benjamin Joseph Yap, the province’s Investment and Promotions Officer, explained that these pro-perties are residential and can no longer be developed commercially.

“Each property has been inventoried and inspected. We created  criteria for the properties to be disposed. One (is) location, second is usage, current status, is it available or compatible to be developed by the province itself or PPP… The best solution is to dispose them to private entity,” he said.

“Properties that have been determined not very significant in size, and not suited for commercial and public use are considered for disposition,” said Tolentino, on the other hand.

The Capitol has around 3,000 properties in Cebu City and different areas in the province. Inventory for other properties is ongoing. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga/ATO (FREEMAN)