AS a way of promoting economic development in other areas in Cebu Province, a former Capitol consultant urged Gov. Hilario Davide III to transfer the proposed 20-storey Provincial Resource Center outside of Metro Cebu.
Jojo Eleazar “Jobers” Bersales said that such a move could be advantageous to Davide’s administration and would help promote economic growth in underdeveloped towns or cities.
Bersales served as heritage and museums consultant during the term of former Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Meanwhile, a Capitol representative said that the Province already complied with recommendations from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on the construction of the 20-storey Provincial Resource Center.
In an interview, Bersales told SunStar Cebu that Davide would be making a mistake if he proceeds with the construction of the new building so close to the Capitol building.
Another point that Bersales raised is that traffic situation in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City could worsen once construction of the building starts.
“If they know their heritage principles, they will realize that such a building looking over the Capitol will be a sore thumb. If they have much money, why not move the Provincial Capitol outside Metro Cebu and contribute to the decongestion of the city?” Bersales said.
He recalled the plan of former Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña to transfer the Capitol to Balamban to help steer economic development in the western town.
But most of all, Bersales said, he opposes the construction of the building within the Capitol compound because it will mar the heritage value of the Capitol. The Capitol became a national historical landmark in 2008.
“The Capitol should be a grand building, devoid of anything surrounding it,” Bersales added.
Balance, symmetry
In a separate interview yesterday, Oscar Pineda, focal person of the Provincial Information Office (PIO), told reporters the Province already submitted the documents required by NHCP in compliance with their recommendations.
But Pineda, whom Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino authorized to speak on his behalf, said he didn’t not know if part of the requirements they sent was a new design plan.
The NHCP advised the Province in March 2017 to avoid ruining the “balance and symmetry” of the Capitol building.
Pineda said that two months after the Province received NHCP’s letter, a team from the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) went to the NHCP in Manila to talk to them.
Accompanying PPDO officials were representatives from AS Enriquez Engineering Consultancy, a firm the Capitol hired for a study and detailed engineering design for the 20-storey building.
He said that during the meeting, the NHCP recommended they invite local and civil society organizations with cultural and historical affiliations for a stakeholders’ consultation.
Also, NHCP required the Province to secure a building permit from the Cebu City Government after the consultation.
Once they secure the building permit, the Office of the Building Official of Cebu City will forward and submit their approval to NHCP for final confirmation.
Capitol officials met those requirements last month, Pineda added.