The ballooning population, heavy traffic and congestion in the city’s urban center compelled the development planners to expand Puerto Princesa’s development to one of its suburban areas- Barangay Irawan.
Barangay Irawan is some 10 kilometers from the city’s urban center.
Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron during his State of the City Address (SOCA) presented the city government’s plan to establish its newest hub in Barangay Irawan, where some government facilities are already existing. The barangay has also the potential site for the planned development.
The P50 million Agricultural Trading Center funded by both the national government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the city government is seen to boost the local farmers and producers. This facility is similar with other trading post in the country were wholesalers can trade their agricultural products to buyers and traders.
In a move to decongest some barangays closer to the urban center, Mayor Bayron said that they will transfer the terminal from San Jose to Irawan.
“Matapos na ang producers market itong sa Irawan at ililipat natin ang Bus Jeepney Terminal sa Irawan kasi ang San Jose magiging traffic na within five years at doon (Irawan) maganda ilipat ang terminal,”
He explained that this plan is strategic since a six-lane national road connecting the North Highway and South Highway will traverse via Barangay Irawan.
He said that they considered the construction of Halal slaughterhouse in Puerto Princesa, which is now in the pipeline. This will be the very first of its kind in Palawan.
The Halal slaughterhouse is in preparation of the forthcoming Kudat-Buliluyan sea route and the anticipated influx of tourists from Malaysia- a predominantly Muslim country. The ports of Kudat, Malaysia and Buliluyan in Bataraza town, Palawan has a distance of only 168 kilometers, a short sea route.
“Ina-anticipate natin ang Roro from Kudat (Malaysia ) to Buliluyan. Dahil dyan dadami ang mga turistang Muslim at kailangan natin ng mga Halal-certified restaurant,” he said.
The city government also procured some 43 hectares Maslog and Macasaet property intended as relocation for informal settlers in coastal areas in the densely-populated urban center of Puerto Princesa. The relocation will also pave way for the completion of the construction of cruise ship port in Cuyito.
“E-relocate natin ito, one time big time doon sa Irawan,” Mayor Bayron said.
Currently, there are 1,753 families that are set for relocation to Barangay Irawan, as per inventory to the affected informal settlers.
The city government also made known its plan to undertake reclamation of some eight-hectares area to accommodate the anticipated development in the city’s emerging growth area. This will cater prime properties, cruise ship terminal, baywalk, Biodiversity Museum, 5,000-capacity convention center with hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments.
He said that these projects may be undertaken through joint venture, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or long term lease.