Further technical studies set for SRP development

CEBU, Philippines – The Asian Development Bank-Cities Development Initiative for Asia (ADB-CDIA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency both approved to fund and undertake the follow-up assistance for the further development of the South Road Properties.

Assistance includes technical and pre-feasibility studies to be provided by the ADB-CDIA and the dispatch of experts by JICA.

ADB-CDIA's assistance in the continuation of the first phase of its studies completed in April last year where they initially identified the necessary utilities at the SRP such as bus stations and requirements of water and power supply.

ADB-CDIA allotted $500,000 for both the first phase and the second phase which has no specific starting date yet.

Engr. Nigel Paul Villarete, Cebu City Planning and Development coordinator, said that the technical studies to be provided by the ADB-CDIA include a thorough study on a possible Bus Rapid Transit line at the SRP and an internal transport system.

The study of a possible BRT line at the SRP will have the same consultant, Colin Brader, director of the Integrated Transport Planning, who is also handling the feasibility study of a BRT system within the city and Metro Cebu.

Aside from the SRP transportation, a thorough study on district cooling will also be undertaken. During the first phase, ADB-CDIA recommended the use of green technology for the district cooling system for the buildings and other utilities at the SRP.

The district cooling using green technology works by using biomass materials such as rice husks and coconut shells to produce steam that heats lithium bromide to capture moisture.

There will also be a study on the development of the mainland coastal area. Among the factors to be looked into are the physical improvements, social impact to SRP and a concept plan for its integration to the SRP economic and social system.

Villarete said that the physical development refers to the creation of a boulevard from barangay Ermita all the way to the South seen to improve the living condition of the people living in the coastal area.

In the area of communications and marketing, ADB-CDIA will help in upgrading the marketing into an interactive website, design of flyers, fact sheets, brochures and other information materials.

For its part, JICA will provide the city experts such as property management specialist, real estate specialist, solid waste specialist, hydrologist and legal experts both foreign and local for the projects that it will undertake.

One of the projects is the provision of capability building assistance to SRP-Management Office and assistance to the Cebu Investment Promotions Center in the field of efficient marketing, bidding process including contract negotiation and finalization.

They will also give assistance to the city government in optimizing the lifespan of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill until such time they are able to find a new site.

Finding a new site for the landfill will be the goal of a preliminary survey to be done by JICA to identify the ideal site of a new landfill in preparation for the eventual shutdown of the facility.

JICA will also help the city in formulating a 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan which is one of the requirements of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

A study on the possible future or development options for the 60-hectare Pond A will also be conducted. Villarete said that experts from JICA are expected to arrive next month. (FREEMAN)