Transfer old Iloilo airport site to LGUs pushed
Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex T. Suplico intends to file a resolution during the first regular session of the Iloilo Provincial Board on July 10, urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to transfer without cost the old Iloilo airport site in Mandurriao to the Iloilo City and Iloilo Provincial Government so they could jointly plan up for its development rather than bidding it out to interested private corporations.
Suplico, who officially assumed office at the New Iloilo Capitol Building today after winning in his vice gubernatorial bid in the May 14 elections, said that since there has been a failed bidding for the 54-hectare old Iloilo airport site last May 9 and a failure in the negotiated sale conference conducted by the Privatization Council last June 13, he is urging the President to let the local government units (LGUs) of Iloilo City and Iloilo province decide on the site development now.
The former congressman and incumbent vice governor of Iloilo province cited the Cebu experience when former President Corazon C. Aquino transferred without cost the old airport site to the provincial government headed then by Governor Lito Osmeña.
Such asset that has been left vacant due to the transfer of the airport to Mactan jumpstarted the development in Cebu.
Suplico further contended that since the lifespan of the asset privatization thrust or the Privatization Council, if this is really the one, has already expired then he deems it proper that the LGUs should be empowered to plan up and take care of the old airport site though it is a national government property so
"We can utilize the asset to our own advantage," the vice governor contended.
He also believes that the national government could take care of the Php 6.3 billion loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation that has been acquired to put up the New Iloilo Airport Development Project (NIADP) in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan towns. "The loan payment could be raised through the income of the NIADP and revenues from the tourists," Suplico contended.
If the President would be amenable to his proposal, then the LGUs could explore the idea of leasing the old airport site to any private company for a long-term basis of about 50 years and be able to earn from it without disposing the property.
"Seldom can you see a property like that in the city at this time," Suplico contended.
He said that since the property is located within the city of Iloilo then he will lobby the city council to jointly pass this resolution with the provincial government to be addressed to the President, hoping that it would be approved.
(PNA)