New City H all: Soon a RealityBy: Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin
December 9, 2001 - Bohol Sunday Post - A NEW P86 million city government building which shall house the city offices and some national agencies may not be far behind, as the City Development Council (CDC) has strongly recommended its construction beginning year 2002.
During a recent meeting, the council appropriated P15 million for the project. This amount will be taken from the city's 20 percent Development Fund.
This is in addition to the P6 million building trust fund already available.
It may be recalled that when City Mayor Jose Torralba took his oath with a renewed commitment to continue the remarkable pace of the city's development during the 35th Tagbilaran City Charter Day Program last July 1 - in the presence of Senator Loren Legarda-Leviste and Gov. Erico Aumentado, he has included the implementation of the said project among his policy directions for the next three years.
He saw the need to relocate the present seat of government to a much secure, safer and spacious area. He has also requested for P5 million from Sen. Legarda-Leviste for the construction of the City Hall.
Recently, Mayor Torralba received letter from Oscar Mabilog, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (PhilOSAP) informing him that the office of Senate President Franklin Drilon has put in P2 million for the project.
Also, Director Normando Toledo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Office of the Project Development
Services has furnished the Office of City Mayor a copy of the letter to Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo regarding the possible funding allocation under the Local Government Service Equalization Fund (LGSEF).
Director Elizabeth Gonzales, head of the Office for Special Projects, Presidential Management Staff earlier requested the mayor for a detailed project proposal to include the objectives, technical data, critical activities and project after the city sought for a P50 million financial assistance from the Office of the President.
The city government is also considering contracting a P30 million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to complete the P86 million needed to complete the building.
During the meeting of the City Executive Advisory Council (CEAC), city engineer Pianicita Castolo set up the perspective and features of the proposed City Hall and government center. It will include carpark, basement, mezzanine, and a shopping mall at the rooftop, totaling four storeys.
The recommended site is a vast expanse of over five hectare government-owned lot located near the City Engineering Office compound and the Bohol Agricultural Promotions Center (APC) in the city's Cogon and Dao Districts.
The building will occupy a floor area of more than 5,000 square meters.
In the same meeting, it was agreed in mass motion to authorize solicitation schemes to put up common fund for the city hall. (FIEL ANGELI E. ARAOARAO-GABIN/City Information Office)
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