Batangas’ ‛white elephant’ to be commercial hub
BATANGAS CITY, Batangas — The Batangas Port Livelihood Center (BPLC), widely considered as a “white elephant” project the past 10 years, is gearing up for a R200-million development plan that will ensure its establishment as an income-generating commercial hub.
Batangas Senior Board Member Rowena Africa revealed last Monday that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP or Provincial Board) already approved the resolution authorizing Governor Hermilando Mandanas to enter into a joint venture agreement for the BPLC’s development.
Specifically, the resolution authorizes Gov. Mandanas to forge the agreement with the Square Meter Trading and Construction Corporation and its affiliate company, the XRC Mall Developer Inc., to build the three-story BPLC Building.
The planned project will provide for a “pasalubong” center on the ground floor of the new building; restaurants and specialty stores on the second floor; and a VIP passenger lounge, hotel, commercial spaces for personal services on the third floor.
Africa, citing the approved resolution, said that even the rooftop of the proposed building will be used utilized as an entertainment and event center, while the rest of the lot will serve as a parking area.
However, Vice Governor Sofronio Ona Jr. has questioned the procedural approval of the resolution, since it was reportedly passed at a private restaurant in a special session held last October 16.
At that time, Africa was the acting vice governor and SP presiding officer while Ona was the acting governor. Ona pointed out that the special session was even held on a Malacañang-declared non-working day due to the transport strike.
In defense of the resolution, Africa said that the SP had to be decisive since the measure had been pending for two months and risked having the contractor withdraw its investment in the BPLC project.
The firm as investor will shoulder the remaining R55-million balance on amortization to the Land Bank since the BPLC building was constructed in 2007 from a R235-million loan.