Gov’t center, sports, food hubs in one complex eyed in Naga

Local

A COMPLEX that would bundle government services, sports infrastructure, and food systems is being eyed in Naga City, Cebu.

This as the Cebu Provincial Capitol pushes a new integrated development model for the province.

The proposal was unveiled after Cebu Province and MTD Philippines Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, May 198, led by Governor Pamela Baricuatro and company president and chief executive officer Patrick Nicholas David, with Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and Capitol officials in attendance.

The planned development envisions a consolidated estate that would house a satellite provincial government center, sports facilities, transport infrastructure, and food security operations in a single site.

Initial concepts include a 20,000-seat stadium, aquatics center, transport terminal, fish port and market, food handling facilities, renewable energy systems, and other supporting utilities.

David said the project aims to make government services more accessible by centralizing offices outside Cebu City.

“The goal is simple — to make government service accessible, seamless, and efficient to every Cebuano,” David said.

He added that the plan also supports efforts to decongest urban centers while expanding development to surrounding areas.

Baricuatro said the project responds to Cebu’s ongoing food distribution challenges, citing uneven supply across the province and the lack of post-harvest infrastructure.

“What’s really happening now is we have vegetables in the south and we don’t have any in the north,” she said.

“If we have a mega food hub, like what we will be building in Naga, it would be very easy for both north and south to access food,” she added.

The governor said Naga City was selected due to its coastal location and the availability of provincial land in the Balili property.

MTD Philippines Inc. said the site is also strategic for improving logistics and redistribution of agricultural and fishery products across Cebu.

David estimated that the project could generate between 5,000 to 8,000 jobs during its construction phase, which is projected to last about two years.

“Employing Cebuanos is the priority,” he said.

He added that the company plans to introduce modern construction technologies and support skills development for local workers.

The firm also expects increased tourism activity once the sports and commercial components are completed.

David clarified that the agreement remains a non-binding MOU and serves only as a framework for cooperation.

“The MOU we signed is an intent and a framework for cooperation. It’s not yet binding,” he said.

He said the next steps will include feasibility studies, technical planning, and compliance with procurement and public-private partnership requirements.

No project cost has been announced yet.(MyTVCebu)