THE City Government of San Fernando and Premier Central Inc. (PCI) have taken another step in realizing the planned redevelopment at a portion of Paskuhan Village in the capital city.

Mayor Edwin Santiago and PCI president Jeffrey Lim on July 2, 2020 formally signed the deed of donation for the 5,000-square-meter land area and two other projects the latter donated to the City Government.

This recent activity was a continuation of the signing of the compromise agreement between the two parties, which was eventually approved by Regional Trial Court Branch 42 of San Fernando on January 2020.

Since one of the major activities to be held in the area will be the showcasing of San Fernando and Pampanga's socio-cultural heritage, arts and crafts, and local lantern products, including the annual Giant Lantern Festival, Santiago said the project is a precious gift for the new and next generations of Fernandinos and Kapampangans.

"Lagi kong sinasabi na kapag bumalik sa atin ang Paskuhan, para na rin nating naibalik ang 'singsing' na sumisimbolo sa ating mayamang kultura at produkto. Ang proyektong ito ay magandang regalo sa mga bago at susunod pang henerasyon dahil magkakaroon sila ng ideya at sulyap sa ating mayamang nakaraan," he said.

PCI also committed to build -- free of charge -- a two-story building facility and an amphitheater stage within the donated property.

Meanwhile, City Administrator Atlee Viray, who also represented the City Government during the signing, said the next step will be the implementation of the two projects.

However, due to the present health crisis, Viray said plans for the groundbreaking ceremony will just be discussed some other time as soon as situation brought by Covid-19 pandemic normalizes.

The former state-owned Paskuhan Village or Hilaga, a place of best Christmas-inspired Filipino arts and crafts, used to host San Fernando's annual Giant Lantern Festival during the 1990s.

The property is now owned by the PCI after purchasing it from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza).

The donation of 5,000-square-meter land area and two facilities was part of the amicable settlement between the firm and the City Government. (PR)