With multi-billion projects sprouting as early as January this year, “public private partnership is alive and well in Iloilo” according to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Mabilog made this remark during the launching a P2-billion proposed Iloilo City Center of Gaisano Capital Group recently.

Apart from this, the Mayor also pointed to other multi-billion investments in the city.

Among these projects are the P450-million Iloilo Convention Center as one of the components of the Iloilo Business Park of Megaworld Corporation in Mandurriao district, the construction of the P170-million Iloilo Fast Craft and RORO (roll-on/roll-off) terminal in Lapuz district, and the controversial P135-million Parola ferry terminal in collaboration with DoubleDragon Properties.

“It is a message that loudly proclaims public and private partnership is alive and well in Iloilo City,” he said.

With this development, Mabilog said that the city is moving towards attaining the status of a Premier City on or before 2015.

“Great cities do not just spring overnight. It takes many years and a great amount of effort and work in order to bring us to our destination,” he said.

STILL NO TO PPP

Meanwhile, some Ilonggo groups are still against PPP.

Reylan Vergara of Bayan Panay said that PPP projects may be enticing but still, it does not benefit much the public especially the poor sector.

Noting the still hanging Parola ferry terminal project, Vergara said that though the city could benefit  from the project, it is still the private sector behind it that will benefit the most.

He also added that the project may incur the city more debts to sustain its operation.*