WHY are Capitol officials in a hurry to construct the P1.2-billion Cebu Provincial Resource Center?
Cebu Representative Gwendolyn Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) raised this question less than a month after the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) called Capitol’s attention for proceeding with the bidding of the 20-story building without submitting a new development plan.
“Why the hurry? And what has happened to the commission’s recommendations on the design? It is a P1.2-billion project that is potentially in violation of the laws on heritage preservation within a declared heritage site,” the former three-term governor said in a press statement.
But Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said the Capitol had already answered NHCP’s concerns on the building’s construction—a new development plan is no longer necessary.
In a letter dated November 19, NHCP chairman Rene Escalante said Tolentino had yet to submit a new development plan for the 20-story building to be constructed within the Capitol compound.
Escalante said he had not received a reply from Tolentino on his March 2017 letter recommending that the new building should be arranged symmetrically on both sides of the Capitol building because of its historical value.
Built in 1937, the Provincial Capitol building was declared a national historical landmark in 2008 during Garcia’s time as governor.
Escalante advised Capitol officials not to proceed with the project until they could provide a new development plan.
Escalante reminded Tolentino of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees that requires public officials to respond to letters within 15 working days.
Garcia, in a statement, questioned Capitol officials’ insistence to proceed with the project despite NHCP’s concerns.
“Ngano’ng pugson man gyud despite NHCP’s reservations? Tungod ba kay hapit na ang eleksyon (Why force it despite NHCP’s reservations? Is it because the elections are fast approaching)?” Garcia asked.
The Omnibus Election Code or Batas Pambansa 881 prohibits the implementation of new public works, release, disbursement and expenditures of public funds within 45 days before Election Day to prevent the use of government funds for poll purposes.
For next year’s elections, the Commission on Elections has already set the election ban from March 29 to May 12.
Tolentino claimed that Capitol already answered Escalante’s query on March 2 this year.
In a statement forwarded by Provincial Information Officer Ainjeliz Dela Torre-Orong, Tolentino said a team composed of Capitol officials and design consultants personally met with NHCP officials last April 10.
“The Provincial Planning and Development Office has a summary report of this meeting, which states the arrangements we have with NHCP, as well as a summary on why a new development plan is not necessary,” Tolentino said.
Gov. Hilario Davide III also sent a letter to NHCP last July 6, informing them that Capitol had initiated a stakeholders’ consultation as recommended by the commission.
The Capitol was also able to secure a locational clearance and submit an application for building permit before the Cebu City Government.
Tolentino added that Davide and Escalante were able to discuss the matter during Escalante’s recent visit to Cebu.
Davide ran but lost to Garcia in the 2010 elections. Garcia is running for governor in the 2019 elections against Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale. Davide, who is Magpale’s running mate, will face businesswoman Daphne Salimbangon, the daughter of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district). (From SCG of Superbalita Cebu/JKV)