The Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization is now in the process of conducting inventory of vacant and unused city properties to see if these are viable for economic use.
Councilor Radge Ibuyan, chairperson of the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privitization, told reporters on Tuesday that city-owned properties hold huge potential for development, especially those that are idle.
“Daghan kaayo ta’g mga possibilities, naa ta’y properties sa city nga pwede nato i-divert sa housing, naa pud ta’y properties na pwede nato i-divert sa economic opportunities. Ang sa atoa gyud is how can we maximize the over-all benefits para sa Dabawenyos (There are many possibilities, we have properties in the city that we can divert into housing, we also have properties which we can divert for economic opportunities),” Ibuyan said.
He said that identified city-owned properties may be used to increase the city’s income and generate employment.
“We can better utilize the existing properties of the city. Kung dili na sya ginagamit sa karon maybe we can use it pabutangan og rent space, or pabutangan og Public-Private-Partnership nga we can have the private sector to invest also sa kadto nga mga property and mabutangan nila og businesses that can provide employment, that can provide additional growth sa city (“We can better utilize the existing properties of the city. If they are not currently being used, maybe we can convert them into rental spaces, or we can implement Public-Private Partnerships where the private sector can also invest in those properties and establish businesses that can provide employment and contribute to the city’s growth),” he said.
Ibuyan said that the city “is a melting pot” of various economic industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism. He emphasized that close coordination and partnership with the private sector will help multiply the city’s growth, with the support of the current leadership.
He said that they are also open with the idea of studying viable areas for building economic zones in Davao City, especially those near the sea.
In terms of maximizing government spaces, they are also looking for the possible potential use of the 2nd floor of the Agdao Public Market for office spaces and for commercial use. CIO
