Monday, June 12, 2006
Mandaue seeks P7M assistance
CEBU CITY -- With less than six months to go until the Asean summit, the Mandaue City Government is asking two national agencies for help: P7.7 million worth of it.
The Mandaue City Council has passed separate resolutions asking the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for financial assistance.
The City is asking for some P5.2 million from the DPWH for the installation of welcome signs in the city. Some P2.5 million is being requested from the DBP for the beautification program, especially designed for the visiting delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Mayor Thadeo Ouano has written the City Council and asked that separate resolutions be passed for the purpose.
Ten Asean heads of state, foreign affairs and economic ministers, and representatives from seven other countries in the Asia-Pacific region will be attending the 12th Asean summit.
Meanwhile, an old building near the Malacañang Sa Sugbo was designated headquarters of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) starting this month, in preparation for the Asean summit.
The Cebu City Council approved last Wednesday a resolution authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to enter into and sign the contract of lease with the heirs of Gotianuy, represented by lawyer Augusto Go.
The four-story Gotiaoco Building along M.C. Briones St. was chosen because of its proximity to Malacañang and Cebu City Hall.
Its owners, the heirs of the late Manuel Gotianuy, also submitted the lowest lease quotation compared to two other establishments, the Cebu City bids and awards committee said.
The City will be leasing the property for P20,000 a month or P160,000 for eight months, from May to December this year.
"Gotiaoco building is the ideal headquarters for those in charge of security during the Asean summit because it's very near Malacañang and it's right in front of the City Hall. It also has a big parking space," said City Hall information officer Nagiel Bañacia.
Bañacia added that the lease of the building also has the approval of the PSG, which has inspected the site on several occasions.
He added that the City Government already sought the help of the PSG and the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Central Command to take care of the building renovation.
After the Asean summit from Dec. 11 to 14, the building will be used to accommodate taxpayers who will be paying their real estate taxes and those who will renew their business permits.
The Gotiaoco building stands on a National Government-owned lot, which the Go family is leasing. The lease contract will expire in 2014 yet.
But in the contract for the lease of the building, the heirs of Gotianuy expressed their willingness to give up the remaining period of its lease contract with the National Government in favor of the City, provided that the latter will rent the building for eight months at P20,000 a month.
"The committee finds the price quotation of Gotiaoco reasonable and justifiable, especially taking into account its proximity to Cebu City Hall," the awards committee said.
As part of the summit preparations, construction of the Cebu International Convention Center is ongoing at a Mandaue City-owned property at the reclamation area.
The Cebu Provincial Government is implementing the project.
Early this year, Mandaue City Councilor Carlo Pontico Fortuna pushed for the proper lighting of at least 12 major thoroughfares in the city in preparation for the summit.
Dark or unlit roads do not speak well of the city and its image as a rising city in the region, he pointed out.
Ouano has created Task Force Asean Summit to focus on the preparation and implementation of the city's beautification, cleanliness and infrastructure enhancement programs for the summit.
A technical working group, composed of representatives from the Mandaue City Planning Office, City Engineering Office, Housing and Urban Development Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Public Works and Highways, was also created to provide technical support to the task force. (AGC/LCR of Sun.Star Cebu)
(June 12, 2006 issue)
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