BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – This southern metropolis is proposing a 300-hectare land reclamation project to further boost the city’s economic growth, create jobs and attract more investors and businesses.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas announced that Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) has signified its intention to undertake the reclamation project in the city’s coastal areas for the establishment of business centers and mixed-use real estate development projects.
“With reclamation, you can have a well-planned development. More economic activities, more employment opportunities, and it will mean the city becomes more attractive,” Treñas told reporters in a press conference.
But do we need it? What challenges the city government may face in undertaking such an ambitious project?
Mayor Treñas said he was inspired by how reclamation projects in Dubai contributed to the already booming economy of the Arab metropolis during his recent trip to the United Arab Emirates for the World Governments Summit on Feb. 12 to 14.
“It is going to be an island so that we resolve questions on drainage, among others. It will be 20 meters away from existing informal settlers kag butangan taytay. The proposed is 300 hectares, but it will start with 100 hectares, amat-amat lang,” the mayor stressed.
He cited how reclamation projects benefited the cities of Bacolod and Cebu. The City of Manila, he said, has started its reclamation project.
The proposed reclamation project will be a public-private partnership through a joint venture agreement between the city government and the project proponent. It will cost about P50 billion, according to Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) on its website.
The reclamation project is a much-needed development project in Iloilo City considering its status as the fast-growing regional center for commerce, services, education, and innovation, the MIGEDC said.
The city also attracted domestic and foreign investors because of its livability, excellent governance, strong public-private partnership, and business friendliness, the MIGEDC added.
The proposed reclamation project will involve two major site developments, the council said.
The first site is from the historic Fort San Pedro in the downtown area that will span up to the Iloilo Fishing Port Complex in the Molo district.
The other site is at the coastal area in Barangay Bito-on in Jaro district, which is filled with food enterprises that will complement Iloilo City’s gastronomic culture and fresh seafood abundance.
“The reclamation area builds on Iloilo City’s modern development, and it heralds its future as a globally competitive business hub of technologically advanced manufacturing, state-of-the-art commercial centers, and bespoke spaces that exhibit the region’s growing industry, serving the long-term vision of the Metro Iloilo and Guimaras economic growth for sustainable employment,” the MIGEDC said.
Even with the above benefits, reclamation projects can face several challenges such as the cost of the project, environmental impact, technical complexity, sustainability, and community opposition, among others.
Despite such challenges, reclamation projects can bring momentous benefits to cities and communities to achieve a resilient, livable, and sustainable metropolis like Iloilo City./PN
