CDIA feasibility studies up for Iloilo major projects

ILOILO CITY – Two major development infrastructure projects for Iloilo City and Guimaras are upcoming after feasibility studies conducted by consultants of the ADB/GTZ/SIDA – assisted Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) were presented this week to city mayor Jerry P. Treñas and other city officials with the studies covering the proposed Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal System (GIFTS) and the downtown Central Business District (CBD) revitalization projects.

The city chief executive, also chairman of the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) said an additional grant of US$80,000 for the studies was granted by CDIA and Asian Development Bank to further upgrade the studies.

But Treñas admitted that the city has no financial capability to realize the financially feasible projects but relies mostly on participation of the private business sector for a possible build-operate-transfer (BOT) or joint ventures.

CBD projects will focus on the city’s Heritage Zone which is acknowledged as an inner core of the business district that contains the critical mass of Iloilo’s heritage commercial structures. It will also help in the preservation of city heritage through the conservation of heritage buildings, Treñas said.

The area includes the Calle Real pedestrian boulevard between Ledesma, Arroyo and Aldeguer streets; the Aldeguer street market between Iznart street and Calle Real.

The CBD project also covers the rehabilitation and improvement of the Iloilo central market, a 1.37 hectare compound along Iznart street that will be made into an area interesting and convenient for urban consumer markets.

On the other hand, the Guimaras-Iloilo ferry terminal system project aims to improve and modernize the Parola, Buenavista and Jordan landings to cater to the needs of expanding daily commuters between Iloilo and Guimaras.

The project is expected to enhance the local tourism industry which is a vital element of MIGEDC economy and will focus on the city’s Parola landing at the mouth of the Iloilo River and the Jordan and Buenavista ports in the island of Guimaras.

By Lydia C. Pendon