Despite opposition: P1.29 billion Capitol project begins

CEBU, Philippines — Despite opposition from various groups, the Cebu provincial government broke ground on the controversial P1.29 billion resource center yesterday with Governor Hilario Davide III saying only a court order can stop the construction.

“The only way na ma-undang kon aduna gyuy gusto mapahunong na ang korte ra gyud. Only a court order can stop the provincial government from proceeding with this project. Wa’ man,” Davide said.

The 20-story resource center is seen to generate income for the province.

In his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony, Davide said he acknowledges the “resistance” and “oppositions” to the project, which ranges from questions on design and cost, as well as impact on heritage conservation.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), for one, is not supporting the project because it will be built right beside the old Capitol building, which is considered a protected historical landmark.

Recently, Crisologo Saavedra filed a case against Davide and other Capitol officials for entering into a contract without authority from the Provincial Board.

Davide said the case is political and is “baseless” and “unfounded.”

“Kani gud, pangsamok-samok lang gyud ni tungod kay kahibalo na baya ta nga election year karon. Tanan nga wala mouyon nato ug tanang wala mahimuot nato, mangita gyud og paagi nga samokon kining project (All of these are meant to disrupt the project because it’s election season. Those who do not agree with what we do will find a way for the project to fail),” he said.

“But I am confident that we can answer all these baseless and unfounded charges against us because I know… from the very start nisubay gyud ta sa balaud ug sa mga rules and regulations so wala ta’y angay kabalak-an. Ang ato lang paabuton nga mahuman kining building puhon (I am confident that we can answer all charges because we followed all rules and regulations from the very start),” he said.

Executives from W.T. Construction, the project’s contractor, were also present during the groundbreaking.

Davide said it was after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013 that they thought of putting up a structure that would house offices of the executive department.

The resource center, he said, is seen to address the growing workforce of the Capitol and the expanding services of the provincial government.

“[We are now crowded at the existing building] and we have created offices also. All of this is geared towards providing more services for our constituents. We all realized the need for more office space,” he said.

He said most of the spaces at the building will be leased to private entities and government offices or public corporations.

“…so that this will earn income. That way we will be able to repay our loan with the DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines) without burdening the Cebuano tax payers… we are happy that we got the best deal of 2.9 interest rate… fixed for the next 10 years,” he said.

The construction, including the demolition of the abandoned building at the site and excavation, is seen to last for up to almost three years.

The first four floors will be the parking area; the next floors until the 11th will be allotted for the Capitol offices; while the succeeding floors until the 20th are the spaces for rent.

Once completed, the commercial spaces are projected to generate more than P1 billion for the next 10 years, said provincial budget officer Danilo Rodas.

He said the estimated amortization for the next 10 years also for the Capitol to return to DBP is expected at P210 million.

Rodas said the entire parking area from first to fourth floor can accommodate at least 183 units. He added for every two hours, a car owner has to pay P30.

He said the 12th floor to 20th floor has a total leasable area of 2,218 square meters and the rent is set at P550 per square meter. (FREEMAN)