Central business district envisioned to rise in Panabo
Panabo City — Aside from pushing its agricultural industries, Panabo City is out to develop a central business district that will put into a cluster commercial establishments and facilities.
In his State of the City Address (Soca), Mayor Jose Silvosa revealed plans for an urban development landscape, the heart of which was a central business district which would turn the existing central market into a commercial center. He also shared his vision of building an area where people can do business transactions while at the same time do shopping.
According to Silvosa, they were working with urban planners from the University of the Philippines (UP)- Mindanao in making a comprehensive urban development plan.
He said he was looking into a comprehensive plan to embrace the urban barangays of Sto. Nino, San Francisco, New Pandan, Gredu, J.P. Laurel, Salvacion, New Visayas, Datu Abdul, Cagangohan, San Pedro and San Vicente.
He added that he planned to stay away from losses of government funds by enjoining the private sector to invest in the commercial structures. The mayor is already planning to call a consultative meeting with businessmen, saying he wants to hear what these stakeholders have to say about his vision to establish a commercial center.
“We will also accommodate investors from other places and even foreigners. We still have wider spaces in the urban center which need to be developed,” Silvosa said. He also expects Panabo to benefit from the scheme through lot rentals, real property taxes and business taxes. “We should be awakened and start to move. If other localities have improved despite their minimal resources, there is no reason that Panabo will not improve.”
Silvosa also clarified that the planned business center will not leave out the small vendors as about 10 to 15 hectares of land would be identified as a satellite public market that will be called as a farmers’ market that will have a its own jeepney terminal. (PIA XI)
