ASIDE from the one hectare area where the Provincial Administration Center (PAC) is located, other properties of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental are also open for development proposals, an official said.
Acting Vice Governor Salvador Escalante Jr. said the province currently have properties available for development including those in cities of Bacolod and Talisay.
Capitol owns a 40-hectare property at Barangay Mansilingan in Bacolod City amounting to about P260 million, and another 25-hectare at Barangay Matab-ang in Talisay City worth P225 million.
Escalante said the Provincial Government has already acquired the titles for the property in Talisay thus, and like that in Bacolod, this is open for proposals whether for joint venture or public-private partnership in the province (P4).
“There is already one party, who already made a representation to the governor, interested to buy the property in Talisay with higher rate,” he said, adding that the province bought it at P900 per square meter, the offer is P1,300 per square meter.
Though the province can generate higher revenue, Escalante said “we will still see” as Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. would want to utilize it for other purpose.
After it was given the authority by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Wednesday, the governor, through the P4 Selection Committee, is about to start the negotiation with the Dynamic Builders and Construction Company for the development of the Capitol Commercial Center initially worth P1.2 billion.
The provincial government and the company have yet to agree on terms and conditions involving the lease of 6,484-square meter property where the PAC on Gatuslao Street is located.
“This would be another potential income-generation venture for the province,” Escalante said.
He revealed that a Japanese group has also expressed interest to develop as mix-use community the property in Talisay City.
“Those are still on the pipeline, there are no formal proposals yet,” the official added.
Marañon, who is currently on vacation abroad, has earlier welcomed the pronouncement of Dynamic Builders to invest in the province’s property.
More PPPs are good for the province, Marañon said, adding that “other interested investors are welcome as the province ventures many other developments.”