WITH the clamor to preserve Patria De Cebu, Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) president Jose Soberano III said their company will respect the wishes of the church and the history committee.
However, Soberano said the completion of the project has been pushed back from its schedule in time for the celebration of the 500th year of discovery of Cebu.
“Patria is a go project. There’s no question about that. There’s no ifs and buts because even before these moves to reconsider the design the contract has been signed and this is all with the best intentions. There’s no underlying motive,” he said.
As of now, the company awaits the decision of the Archdiocese of Cebu and National Historical Commission of the Philippines on the project, following protests from local heritage groups on the planned demolition of the Patria building.
“Archbishop Palma said there will be a win-win decision that will make everyone happy. So we’re waiting for that,” he said.
He said the decision will be announced through a press conference with officials from the church, CLI and the history committee in June or at an earlier date.
Soberano said they will do their best in completing at least a portion of the project in time for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Christianity in Cebu.
“We would have started January in starting to demolish the structure that has to be demolished and retain those that have to be retained. It’s (the schedule) been pushed back,” Soberano said.
“I think the church knows that there will be setbacks in meeting a major completion of the project in time for March 2021,” he added.
CLI has inked a 40-year contract with the archdiocese to develop the land area of the Patria into an integrated retail, office and hotel structure with a Roman-inspired courtyard to complement the nearby major churches. (JOB)