Iloilo City avails P4.7M grant from CDIA
Iloilo City has availed a P4.7 million grant from the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) to be used in conducting pre-feasibility study of infrastructure projects to include an eco-port and revitalization of central business district (CBD) in line with the proposed developments under the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC).
The CDIA represented by its program coordinator Dr. Emiel Wegelin said the proposal of the city met the requirements and came ahead of the schedule after the AusAID funded grant for Iloilo lapsed. The grant given to the city is the first in Asia.
Dr. Wegelin along with consultants from the Consultants for Comprehensive Environmental Planning Inc. (Concep) were in Iloilo City for a kick off meeting for the CDIA at the office of Mayor Jerry Treñas. Dr. Wegelin discussed on the establishment of MIGEDC/CDIA steering committee, reporting and assignment monitoring benchmarks, confirmation of MIGEDC inputs and detailed discussion on technical scope of assignment.
The pre-feasibility which is to be undertaken by Concep includes the construction and operation of an eco-port, preservation of heritage building and revitalization of economic activities in the CBD formerly known as the Calle Real.
Concep Team Leader Dr. Nathaniel Von Eisiendel said there are several concerns that they have to resolve in coming up with a pre-feasibility study for the construction and operation of an eco-port and revitalization of CBD. The pre-feasibility should be completed in six months time.
Eisiendel said they are expecting an increase in the projected cost of the proposed eco-port. In estimates done a year ago, the construction of an eco-port cost P10 million. In the study, they would also determine whether the construction would be made through a private and government partnership.
He also explained they have to establish a market for the eco-port, determine the demand and services required. There is a need to study on whether the port should cater to passengers or cargo.
The result of the pre-feasibility study will become a basis to encourage and to look for funding or donor agency such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the infrastructure projects identified to benefit the people of Iloilo and Guimaras.
For the CBD, the pre-feasibility study will center on the heritage conservation and revitalization of the business opportunities. The CBD should have a "brand" to differentiate its products and services found in the shopping malls, said Eisiendel.
Eisiendel also proposed the giving of incentives to the owners of the edifice identified as heritage site. The incentives should be in form of tax holidays from the local government unit. There should be a concerted effort from both the owners and government. The buildings are considered private property but the roads where these century old buildings are located belong to the government. There should be a delineation of work among the two in order to develop the CBD.
The P4.7 million pre-feasibility study also includes the capacity building of the MIGEDC and all stakeholders. The MIGEDC staff should also be strengthened.