P38-M command center to rise in Mandurriao district

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

A modern and state of the art command center of the city government will soon rise in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The city government on Monday signed a usufruct agreement with Heva Development and Management Corp for the use of the 375-square meter site at the Iloilo City Center of Gaisano Capital Group.

With the usufruct agreement, the city government may build and construct any buildings or improvements on the 375-square meter property that is subject of the grant.

The usufruct shall be valid and binding for a period of 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.

Mayor Jerry Treñas, who led the signing of the usufruct agreement alongside Carlo Legara of Heva Development and Management Corp., said the command center is fitting for Iloilo City’s booming economy as safety and preparedness will further attract possible investors in the metro.

According to Treñas, the building will be named Henry Gaisano Iloilo City Action and Response Center (ICARE) to honor mall entrepreneur Eddie Gaisano for allowing the city government use of their property.

“Ini nga bulig ni Mr. Gaisano, dako gid ang bulig. We have to be prepared and we have to make sure nga ang tanan nga investors nga masulod diri nga prepararado kita,” he said.

The five-storey command center will be utilized by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), police and fire stations in the city.

Moreover, the proposed P38-million worth command center will be equipped with a police car, ambulance, and other key facilities.

The mayor said he wants the construction of the building to start within the year.