Naga wants ex-Balili property

Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday said he will study the letter of intent submitted to him by Mayor Christine Chiong of Naga City to buy the controversial Balili Resort property.

The Balili resort was bought by the administration of then governor Gwen Garcia for P98 million. It was found out later to be partly underwater.

Davide said Chiong did not name a price for the Balili resort in her letter. However, he said that if given a chance, Chiong can develop the area for whatever purpose.

However, Davide said they will first resolve the offer of Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing to buy the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Davide said the land where the CICC is constructed is owned by the Mandaue City Government, but the development is owned by the Cebu Provincial Government.

The site of the CICC was a share of the Mandaue City Government from F.F. Cruz Construction who reclaimed the Mandaue North Reclamation Area during the time of the late mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano.

The CICC is considered one of Cebu’s historic places because it was the venue of the 12th Summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).

Davide said the CICC building is no longer operational after it was damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013.

He said he met Luigi twice on this issue and it will be finalized soon.

“Maybe I will ask the Sanguniang Panlalawigan to give me the authority to negotiate with Mandaue City on this matter,” Davide said.