COTABATO CITY -- A giant Chinese construction firm has expressed interest in building a modern airport and seaport in this city through the approval of the national government.
Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said Monday that representatives from the city government and China Engineering Construction (Shenzhen) Company are set to meet anytime soon to discuss matters about the proposed establishment of the city’s state-of-the-art airport and seaport.
In a letter, the Shenzhen firm said it would communicate with the multi-national Tomacapital Incorporated “to accomplish all challenges and tasks together with the company, along with the support of both China and Philippines governments and people.”
Currently, the city shares the transport of business commodities here with Maguindanao’s Awang Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat town and Polloc Port in Parang town.
“Being the center of trade and commerce in this part of Central Mindanao, it is but right for us to have our own airport and seaport facilities,” the city mayor said in anticipation that the Chinese firm’s proposal would come in as form of a grant for future business dealings.
Guiani-Sayadi said Chinese traders had eyed the city as a prospective business hub following its improved peace and order situation.
City police records indicated some 55 percent drop in crimes the past several months following the declaration of martial law in Mindanao by President Rodrigo Duterte to address threats of terrorism and other forms of lawlessness as brought about by the Marawi incident.
Showing support to the President’s declaration, city lawmakers had crafted an ordinance for the establishment of Discipline Hours barring Cotabateños from roaming the city streets between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. even after the President would order the lifting of the martial law.
Only recently, the city received its third Seal of Good Local Governance Award, but it’s the first-ever for Guiani-Sayadi who replaced his brother, the late Japal Guiani Jr., who died from a lingering illness in 2016.
“It takes political will and the utmost cooperation of Cotabateños to where the city stands right now. I cannot do it alone without the help of the people,” the mayor stressed.
Records from the city government showed that revenues collection as of October this year has reached Php130-million, with expectation to touch to PhP150-M mark by yearend, compared to PhP126-M in 2016.
A check with Aurea Yu, the city’s business licensing office chief, revealed that commercial establishments in the locality have ballooned to more than 3,000 from a bit over 2,000 in recent years.
She said her office is now strictly requiring the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) security cameras this year to monitor and thwart possible robbery incidents, among others.
“This particular ordinance is firmly imposed for businesses with PhP500,000 capitalization upwards while small convenience stores would be measured depending on the goods they are selling,” Yu said.
Only on Sunday, local law enforcers collared six carnappers caught on a street CCTV while in the act of stealing a motorbike in front of an establishment. (PNA)
