URC allows use of its land for Iloilo highway

Universal Robina Corporation (URC) is allowing the City Government of Passi in Iloilo to use a 4-hectare portion of its property for a thoroughfare leading to a proposed economic zone.

In a statement, URC said a deed has been signed by URC President and CEO Lance Gokongwei, URC Sugar and Renewables Business Unit General Manager Renato Cabati, and Passi City Mayor Jesry Palmares.

Under the deed, URC grants the city government the “right and privilege” to use 40,329 square meter of its property in Passi City for the construction of a road leading to and from the economic zone.

This would prevent traffic from building up inside the city itself.

“This is our way of giving back to a community that has been a gracious and generous host to us. It is our hope that through this effort, Passi City can achieve its goals to bring growth and prosperity to its population,” said Gokongwei.

Passi City is a largely agricultural town with produce that mostly include sugarcane, rice, and pineapple. The move to develop an economic zone is in line with the efforts to spread growth from urban centers to farm-dependent regions.

“It’s going to be a major artery that this road will bring about in the heart of Panay Island. It will make the flow of all transports connecting Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Northern Antique more feasible,” said Mayor Palmares.

URC will retain ownership of the entire property, while Passi City will be in charge of maintaining and repairing the road.

The Sangguniang Panglunsod of Passi City has already passed a resolution exempting URC from the payment of Real Property Taxes with respect to the subject property.