THE construction of the Doña Pepang heritage park will soon begin as the Cebu City Government is now in talks to hold a groundbreaking ceremony as early as June 12, 2023.

Former Apas barangay captain and special assistant to the Mayor’s Office on Special Projects Ramil Ayuman said while the June 12 groundbreaking of the 11,742- square-meter (sqm) property is still tentative, the construction is set to start very soon.

Ayuman added that at least seven nearby businesses have shown interest in supporting the P50 million project, which will be undertaken through a public-private partnership (PPP).

A follow-up meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 30, will finalize the date of the ceremonial groundbreaking.

“Well, ang atong gi-project karon is by June 12, but magdepende na sa meeting nato tomorrow (Tuesday) with private sectors nga motabang. We are planning nga mag-ground breaking na ta diha sulod sa Doña Pepang,” Ayuman said.

(Well, our projection is by June 12, but it will depend on our meeting tomorrow with the private sector that will help. We are already planning to break ground inside Doña Pepang).

The mayor’s special assistant assured that the Osmeña mausoleum will remain in the vicinity with a public plaza and an event-hosting amphitheater.

Ayuman said the project is targeted to be finished in six months.

The Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team, Cebu City Transportation Office, and Department of Engineering and Public Works already demolished the illegal structures inside the cemetery last month to pave the way for the development. (PAC)