Iloilo taps conglomerates for energy, e-transit projects

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo City is tapping the country’s top conglomerates for major public-private partnership (PPP) projects, which the local government seeks to roll out in a bid to be a smart and sustainable city as well as an innovation hub.

The city government is pushing the PPP scheme to build a waste-to-energy power generation facility, an electric BRT (bus rapid transit) system and the redevelopment of the city’s two public markets, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas announced yesterday.

Treñas said they are tapping Metro Pacific Investment Corp. led by tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan for the waste-to-energy plant project.

He said they were in talks with the Lopez Group for the e-BRT plan.

According to Treñas, the European Union has offered funding for the conduct of a feasibility study for the e-BRT project.

The redevelopment of the city’s Central Market and Terminal Market has started with the SM Development Corp., which is under the SM Group’s listed property development giant SM Prime Holdings.

Treñas revealed the initiatives during the opening of the 2023 National Science, Technology and Innovation Week in Iloilo City spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology from Nov. 22 to 26.