More funding for new provincial government center

CEBU, Philippines —  At least two senators have pledged more funds for the construction of a new Cebu Provincial Government Center in the mid-west town of Balamban.

On top of the P200 million the national government has allocated in the 2022 national budget, the proposed new Capitol building will get an additional budget of P180 million from Senators Sonny Angara and Francis Tolentino.

According to the Provincial Information Office (PIO), Angara has committed to give P100 million while Tolentino promised to give P80 million. The additional funding will be used to develop viable access road to the new provincial capitol building.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7) reported during a meeting with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Monday that they are expediting the site development.

DPWH-7 regional director Ernesto Gregorio Jr. told the governor that they are confident that the site development and foundational works will be done by July this year, way ahead of their November target.

The new government center in Balamban will be a replica of the executive building of the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Cebu City. It will be constructed on a 2.3-hectare property with an elevation of 135 meters above sea level.

Michelle Languido, acting provincial assessor, said the Capitol has already acquired six lots with a total area of 17.5 hectares around the site.

Garcia plans to acquire at least 50 hectares more in the neighboring areas for the construction of other provincial and regional offices of national government agencies. The province had already earmarked an initial amount of P500 million for the said project. — FPL (FREEMAN)