Aquino wants list of national gov’t properties in Iloilo City: mayor
President Benigno Aquino III has asked for a list of all national government properties and vacant lots in Iloilo City, aside from the abandoned Rotary Park along Fort San Pedro, so that a Presidential Proclamation may be issued for the proper use of these lots, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said.
Mabilog said he met with the President during a cocktail party after Aquino’s State of the Nation Address last Monday, and reminded Aquino on his promised Presidential Proclamation for the Rotary Park property.
The mayor said the President assured his approval of the property but also asked for the list of all other abandoned or vacant national government properties in the city so that similar proclamations can be issued.
Mabilog said the President is also aware that the Philippine Coast Guard is asking for the transfer of its building to a nearby area so that the entire vacant lot in Fort San Pedro can be placed under a Presidential Proclamation.
The almost one-hectare lot is proposed to be the site of a world-class multi-million peso Guimaras-Iloilo ferry terminal project that would develop and rehabilitate the existing ferry boat terminal for Buenavista, Guimaras as a major gateway for tourists and passengers for the island-province.
A pre-feasibility study was conducted in 2008 by Concept Consultants Inc. and funded by Asia Development Bank calling for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the Fort San Pedro ferry terminal into a world-class passenger facility complete with a terminal building, passenger lounge, offices and other passenger amenities
The study also showed the rehabilitation of the Buenavista and Jordan wharves, both in Guimaras and the other wharf in Ortiz in Iloilo City. PNA
