THE 21st City Council passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy to negotiate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for City Hall’s takeover of the Garden of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village.
The resolution came after Councilor Joyleen Mercedes Balaba raised concerns on the possible closure of the Malasag Eco Garden due to financial difficulties during the council’s November 10 regular session.
TIEZA manages the eco garden and is renting the property from DENR. But TIEZA can no longer sustain the rental payments, leading to its financial difficulties and the impending shutdown of the facility, Balaba said.
Balaba said the closure could displace 46 TIEZA employees. A hearing to be conducted by the council’s tourism committee will be held to discuss ways to sustain the facility’s operation.
