PORTIONS of the Capitol, seat of the Benguet provincial government, have been closed to pave the way for the construction of an annex building with a project cost of P100 million.
Assistant Provincial Engineer Elfren Gaudian said the four-story extension building seeks to accommodate more offices and employees of the provincial government.
The first floor will be allotted for parking space, according to Provincial Architect II Ariz Pangaliman.
A budget of P33 million has been appropriated from the 2018 General Fund and 2017 supplemental budget of the provincial government to finance Phase I and II construction of the annex building.
Another P10 million to finance additional construction works will be sourced from the 2018 supplemental budget.
Pangaliman said the extension will have a ramp for persons with disabilities, elevator, and a view deck.
“This is a continuing project,” he added.
Work on the project started March 1 and is targeted to be completed by 2020.
The Capitol building was built sometime in 1979. To date, the Capitol building only houses a few departments of the provincial government.