Collective decision needed over proposal to buy lot at old airport
City Mayor Jerry Treñas said it would be a collected decision between the executive and the legislative body to affirm the recommendation of the ad hoc committee to buy some 5,000 square meters of lot at the old airport as new site of the proposed city hall building.
Treñas said he will meet the ad hoc committee tomorrow (Tuesday) to finalize their stand on the proposal to sell the city government's property at Plaza Libertad. The proceeds from selling the property would be used to buy portion of the 54-hectare former airport property now owned by Megaworld Corporation.
The city government property in Plaza Libertad is estimated to cost some P23.7 million based on the 2004 assessed value. The cost of the property is even much higher than the 2008 computation. The area offered by the Megaworld to the city government is estimated to cost only P13.5 million. The selling price of the property in the old airport site should be based on the computation of the Department of Finance (DoF). The corporation bought the property for P1.2 billion.
Though, most of the councilors are members of the ad hoc committee Treñas wants the legislative body to take part in the decision. The recommendation of the ad hoc committee chaired by Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog would still need the approval of the entire city council, he said.
The ad hoc committee has recommended to increase the area intended for the construction of the new city hall building. Instead of the 2,000 square meters land area the committee recommended to acquire 5,000 square meters so there would be enough space for parking areas and developments.