City avails P4.2M technical assistance for CBD restoration
Calle Real
Iloilo City has availed of a P4.2 million technical assistance from the Cities Development Initiatives for Asia (CDIA) to restore the old Commercial Business District (CBD) of the city. The restoration of the old Calle Real is one of the programs included in the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC).
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the money will be used to conduct a study and initiate the rehabilitation of old buildings at the Calle Real where business used to flourish.
The study will likewise determine on whether the city will give incentives to the owners of the building to restore it. Most of the old buildings at Calle Real are already dilapidated and in ruins. Owners also appoint caretakers to keep track of the property.
Treñas made no other disclosure on when the study will start. And whether the consultants for the MIGEDC projects will also handle the conduct of the study for the restoration of the old CBD.
Business at the old CBD slowed down with the rise of different malls and department stores in the different parts of the city. Most of the customers prefer to buy their needs at the malls for convenience and also because of the availability of the goods.
At the old commercial business district, old Chinese stores mostly sell textiles and other household items. Few restaurants and carinderias also exist. Transient vendors selling different wares also thrive at the old CBD.