The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and City Legal Office are finalizing a memorandum of agreement for the development of an area covering parts of Burnham Park and Gov. Pack Road in the Summer Capital.
CPDO Head Donna Rillera-Tabangin said the MOA is between the city government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera and is expected to be signed this month.
She said copies of the agreement will be furnished to the city council, which will authorize the mayor to sign the MOA.
Tabangin said the city government and DENR aim to improve and redevelop the area with infrastructure and green spaces that would cater to the needs of the city and its residents.
“These would include a high-density, multi-use area for commercial, parking, and transit oriented development as well as pedestrian and green parks,” she said.
Tabangin said under the MOA, the city will prepare the development plans according to the highest and best use of the area; do marketing to create interest from private sector entities to participate in the development of the properties probably through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modality; and prepare, bid, and award contracts to enjoy the possession and use of the properties.
The obligation of the DENR as the first party to the agreement, she said, is to review and concur with the site development plan for the project; to exercise the right of ownership over the properties and allow the city (second party) to use these for 25 years renewable for another 25 years by mutual agreement of the parties.
Tabangin said the agreement, among other provisions, also provides for the fair and equitable sharing of profits between the two parties including a third party through a PPP modality. – Gaby B. Keith
April 25, 2024
