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ILOILO City: The Sangguniang Panlungsod asked Malacañang that the
city government be given a share from the P1.2-billion sale of the
old Iloilo airport in Mandurriao district.
The city government is entitled to a 40-percent
share of the national wealth located within its jurisdiction, said
Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon, citing the Local Government Code. If
granted the share could run up to P480 million.
Megaworld Corp. bought the 54-hectare airport at
P1.2 billion.
Ganzon and Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo were
the proponents of the resolution asking the Palace for the city’s
share.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said he was consulted by
Ganzon about the plan. He said the city government will wait for the
response of the Department of Finance (DOF), the government agency
that handled the sale of the old airport.
Treñas said proceeds from the sale “were used
to reduce the deficit of the government budget.”
“But if it will be given to us, so much the
better,” he stressed.
Section 289 of the Local Government Code states:
“Local government units shall have an equitable share in the
proceeds derived from the utilization and development of the
national wealth within their respective areas…”
Vice-Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said whatever
amount the city could get from the proceeds of the sale “would
augment the finances of the city government.”
“The city will be loan-free. Plus, it could
provide additional infrastructure projects like the development of
the terminal port going to nearby Guimaras Island,” Mabilog added.
Local officials are working to make this city
become the next investment capital of the Visayas. It has several
potential economic growth areas for investment and development.
Treñas said Megaworld, which bought the old
airport area, would soon invest another P1.5 billion in various
infrastructures.
-- Panay News
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