According to Garcia: CPA expansion project not part of negotiations

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City acting mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has clarified that ongoing negotiations with the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) does not include giving the green light on the construction of the port extension.

Last Friday, two days after the resolution of the City Council was approved to give Garcia authority to sit down and negotiate with CPA, Garcia met with CPA General Manager Francisco Comendador III to discuss plans for the PUSO Village, Compania Maritima, and the mechanical parking.

In a press conference yesterday, Garcia expressed his enthusiasm after Comendador accepted his invitation. Comendador and other CPA officials visited City Hall in “full force.”

“They showed support for my mayorship, my administration,” said Garcia.

According to the acting mayor, among those that they have agreed on is to set aside the dispute on the ownership of the three properties in question that is now already in court.

Aside from this, Garcia said they have agreed on the joint development of the Compania Maritima, Puso Village, and the mechanical parking.

He said they have yet to draw the concrete plans of these properties, but they have agreed to come up with a document that will outline the rules and duties of both parties— the CPA and Cebu City government, over the said properties.

The development will include platforms for tourism, employment, and entrepreneurship purposes.

This document will be then submitted to court for their approval.

“Naa lay working agreement that we will come up with a compromise kay it’s litigated in court, and there is an injunction. So what is important is we come up with a compromise and submit it in court for its approval,” said Garcia

Garcia, however, clarified that the negotiations are only for the development of the three properties and not on the current constructions of the CPA, which include the extension of the baseport.

“Ang baseport is, there is no go signal, we did not talk about a go signal as of the moment,” said Garcia.

On the other hand, he added that he requested the CPA officials to submit their plans to the City Council and Cultural Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).

Garcia echoed that he told CPA that it is important that the Cebu City government will be apprised on its plans as the area is near a historical site.

The CPA’s baseport expansion project at the back of the old Aduana Building (former Malacañang sa Sugbo and currently the National Museum of the Philippines-Cebu) created a conflict between the city government and the CPA the past months.

Tourism Projects

In the same press conference, Garcia said suggestions were already laid down on the table during his discussions with the CPA heads.

Among those initially mentioned is the continuation of the Puso Project which, according to him, is intended to be made as a market similar to the Barracks of the Cebu City Carbon Market.

“But I think mas high-end gamay kay duol man kas mga turista,” said Garcia.

The Puso Village is anticipated to draw at least 300 stalls corresponding to at least 400 employees that can benefit from.

Aside from this, on the right side, Garcia said they are also planning to build a police station. The current tourist police station of Cebu City Hall may have to be transferred to the area.

This will also serve as a loading and unloading area, and a parking space. The back portion will serve as a mechanical parking that can accommodate up to 50 vehicles.

As for the Compania Maritima, Garcia said the initial plans include repainting, and putting up restaurants and coffee shops. — (FREEMAN)