MAYOR Eric C. Codilla in his State of the City Address unveiled his vision of an uptown development plan in response to Ormoc’s need to expand its urban development beyond the downtown area where commercial and trading activities are concentrated.
Mayor Codilla admitted that the plan is long overdue but said his administration had to focus first on laying the foundation for economic growth and social services. It is also for this reason why he didn’t prioritize inviting investors. “Wa kaayo ta niining sobra mangimbitar og investors kay dili sayon buhaton; sayon lang na isulti,” he said.
One of Ormoc’s drawbacks is the absence of a developed location. Officials would often point to the wide, open area in Simangan, four kilometres from the city center, as the most ideal site for locators, but prospective investors who take a look at the area are turned off by the absence of access roads.
One of Ormoc’s drawbacks is the absence of a developed location. Officials would often point to the wide, open area in Simangan, four kilometres from the city center, as the most ideal site for locators, but prospective investors who take a look at the area are turned off by the absence of access roads.
Investors’ feasibility studies on Ormoc also reveal the lack of capable graduates as well as health and educational institutions. “Karon mangimbitar ta nila, wa pa tay maayong educational, health care and social services system. Asa man ang ilang mga trabahante pasidulong?” he asked.
Now that he has improved social and health services with the construction of a city hospital, Mayor Codilla said it is time to develop a business district that would provide more areas for commercial development. He pointed to a 100-hectare agricultural area northern part of Ormoc bordering Simangan, Dayhagan and Salvacion as the most ideal site, being proximate to the airport.
The plan is to identify areas for development and convert their land use plan from agriculture to open space, recreational, commercial, institutional and residential. The local government unit (LGU) will then have to acquire road-right-of-ways so it can develop four-lane roads and lay down drainage systems, electric facilities and water utilities.
Mayor Codilla envisions office blocks on the commercial complex; a gymnasium, stadium, and track and field oval on the recreational area; schools and hospitals on the institutional area; and parks on the open space. He estimates at least P300 million for the horizontal development which the LGU can borrow from the bank.
Landowners will welcome expropriation proceedings as these would increase the value of their properties by more than triple. The current zonal valuation of Bureau of Internal Revenue in the area is only P20 per sq.m. The LGU will also recoup its investment through increased realty tax collection.
Since he is on his last term, Mayor Codilla said he will leave the realization of his vision as an assignment to his successor. He describes the undertaking as an ambitious last piece of development that would provide the necessary groundwork for business expansions and economic opportunities.
(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of Feb. 13-19, 2012)
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