ILOILO City — The proposed P18.27-billion coastal reclamation project here covering about 662 hectares has been shelved.
The city government formally declared a failure of negotiation with a private proponent, effectively taking the multibillion-peso development plan “off the table” for now.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) office head Atty. David Garcia said the negotiations collapsed after the proponent failed to meet key requirements within the strict timelines mandated under the Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines.
Garcia explained that the PPP framework imposes fixed deadlines at every stage of the approval process, and failure to comply with these requirements automatically halts the project.
“Stage 1 may deadline, Stage 2 may deadline. May requirement nga wala pa nila naubra kag bisan ubrahon pa nila, indi nila matapos before the deadline. Because of that nag-declare kita failure of negotiation,” Garcia said.
He did not give details about these requirements.
The proposed Iloilo City Reclamation Project was envisioned as a large-scale coastal development spanning about 662 hectares with an indicative investment cost of P18.27 billion.
Project information from the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) showed the reclamation area was planned to extend from Fort San Pedro in the city’s downtown area to the Iloilo Fishing Port Complex in Molo district, with another proposed site along the coastal area of Barangay Bito-on in Jaro district.
The project was intended to create new business districts and mixed-use developments, including commercial centers, modern industries, and investment hubs along the coastline facing the Guimaras Strait.
City officials previously said the reclamation initiative could help support Iloilo City’s long-term growth as a regional hub for commerce, trade, education, and services.
Despite the collapse of negotiations, Garcia said the city government remains open to new proposals for similar coastal development projects under the PPP framework.
“It will not stop the city government from accepting other proposals for a reclamation project,” he said. “Kun may bago naman nga mag-offer, as long as we see that it’s beneficial for the city, we will accept.”
Garcia emphasized that large-scale infrastructure initiatives such as reclamation projects often require partnership with the private sector.
“The city will always acknowledge the fact nga ang mga dalagko nga problema ukon projects sa city, indi kaya sang city government alone,” he said./PN