After Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said earlier this month that he is considering public-private partnerships (PPPs) for local projects, including the upgrading of the city slaughterhouse in the Jaro district’s Barangay Tacas and establishing a waste-to-energy facility, the city recently entered into a memorandum of agreement with PPP Center Executive Director Ferdinand A. Pecson.
“We are excited because this will allow us to free [up] a portion of the budget, which we will be able to use for other social projects,” the mayor said. “We look forward to a very fruitful relationship with the PPP Center.”
Meanwhile, Treñas issued an executive order creating a PPP Selection Committee.
“There is a need to fast-track the implementation of PPP programs and projects to accelerate the infrastructure development of the city and sustain economic growth,” he explained.
In addition to the aforementioned project, other PPP proposals include upgrades to the city’s public markers, along with the establishment of a mixed-use horizontal development complex and sports arena.
Earlier, the mayor said PPP is also being sought in the development of the Ortiz Wharf.
“Even with the new Parola Ferry Terminal and future construction of [a] bridge linking Guimaras [with Iloilo], people will still be using [the] Ortiz Port because it is near and convenient,” the mayor explained. “We will be looking if there are interested investors.”
“The city government will not spend for the project,” Treñas added./WDJ