Ferry terminal construction put on hold

THE construction of the P135-million Parola ferry terminal at the Parola area in Iloilo City was put on hold for about eight months as the project’s lot will have to be vacated first by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the construction of the PCG building is starting at the other side of the Parola lot, or formerly known as the Rotary Park.

Mabilog said the Parola lot was awarded through a Presidential Proclamation of President Benigno Aquino III to the City Government, PCG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The city received 1.2 hectares for the construction of the ferry terminal project to service the needs of sea commuters between Guimaras and Iloilo City.

The project will be constructed by Double Dragon Properties Corp. as a public private partnership (PPP) at no cost to city, Mabilog said.

He said the contract between the city and Double Dragon is based on legality provided in the internal rules and regulations (IRR) of Article 66 of the local government code that allows joint ventures with the private sector.

Meanwhile, the City Council enacted Ordinance 2011-213 to support the project based on Section 35 of the same government code by adopting the provision using joint venture agreement with the private sector.

The city mayor said the Parola ferry terminal will have a passenger terminal building, a shopping complex and a park. (LCP/Sunnex)