By Emmanuel P. Solis
LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 9 (PNA) — Another land mark project of the City Government of Legazpi will be constructed by the WholeGrain Land Inc. (WGLI) under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme in the 2,855- square-meter Locsin Park in Old Albay District, according to Mayor Noel E. Rosal.
The ground breaking ceremony of the proposed construction of the Gregorian Mall was held on Saturday with a Holy Eucharistic Mass officiated by Msgr. Ramon Tronqued and attended by bankers, members of the Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), religious organizations, barangay leaders, city department heads and members of the Sanguniang Panlunsod headed by Vice Mayor Vittorio “Bitoy” Roces.
Rosal said the Legazpi City Police Station, which used to occupy the area, was relocated already at the downtown area of this city to pave the way for the construction of this 3-in-1 project to be undertaken by the city administration and the WGLI, which includes the construction of the Gregorian Mall, Legazpi City Museum and City’s Activity Center.
The city chief executive revealed that the Gregorian Mall is an innovative program of his administration that will give more employment opportunities to the constituents and additional income to the city government that will boost its economic progress.
He pointed out that a 500-square-meter portion of the area will be occupied by the Locsin Activity Center that includes the construction of a basketball court, mini grandstand and covered court to pave the way for the sports activities of the people, particularly the youth, who want to play basketball.
It will, however, also be opened for special gatherings of the public.
“Some 200-square-meter section will be occupied by the new Legazpi City Museum, which would give more character in our locality and an additional attraction to the tourists and visitors, as this museum will be the best and most modern one in Bicol,” Rosal added.
WGLI president Joseph Lim said this commercial arcade is their response to the call of the mayor for the continuing development of this city and to give the people of Legazpi an additional venue for shopping purposes.
Lim disclosed that the construction of this project will have “a no-single-centavo cost” on the part of the city government because, based on the agreement, the WGLI will shoulder all the expenses for the construction of the buildings and other improvements in the area.
He stressed that this project is very advantageous on the part of the city administration and to the people in the community because this will bring at least 500 jobs to Legazpenos and additional income to the city government in terms of rentals and business taxes that will be paid by the operators of establishments. (PNA)