Balamban eyed as Provincial Government seat: Garcia wants Capitol moved

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia wants to transfer the seat of the Cebu provincial government to the midwest town of Balamban in a bid to further boost the province’s economic development.

Garcia has proposed P550 million for the site acquisition and development of the Cebu provincial government center there.

Located approximately 53 kilometers west of Cebu City, the governor said, it is the most strategic and accessible town for both southern and northern local government units (LGUs).

“It would be to the advantage of the provincial constituents to develop a government center in one of the municipalities, more or less at the center of our northern and southern LGUs.And of course, we all know that is Balamban,” she said in yesterday’s press conference at the Capitol.

“Balamban is easily accessible from the north through the North Hagnaya Wharf road down to Antonio Y. De Pio highway and then you can proceed from Balamban on to Aloguinsan and then you cross over from Aloguinsan to Mantalongon in Barili where you will now easily access the south western and south eastern parts of the province,” she added.

By putting up the government center in Balamban, Garcia said, it will spur trade activities and bring development to the countryside.

“It is a statement of establishing the province of Cebu’s own identity. This is part of our Enhanced Countryside Development,” she said.

She said it has long been envisioned by the previous administrations, including of then governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña.

Osmeña wanted to transfer the seat of the provincial government to Balamban to help steer economic development in the countryside.

“Even then governor Lito Osmeña envisioned a project of a similar nature,” said Garcia.

The P550 million allocation is part of the total P15 billion budget for 2021 proposed by the governor to the Provincial Board, which is yet to approve the annual appropriation.

Once the budget is approved and the center is completed, Garcia said, all provincial government services will be transferred in Balamban.

The Capitol in Cebu City, which is not under the political jurisdiction of the provincial government, will be preserved as a national heritage site. The Capitol building was declared a national historical landmark in 2008. — KQD (FREEMAN)