THE Davao City Council approved on second reading the ordinance to amend some provisions in the previous ordinance pertaining to the transfer of Museo Dabawenyo within the premises of People's Park.
The museum is currently located at A. Pichon Street, Davao City.
The words "permanent and exclusive home" indicated in the previous ordinance was also removed in the amended ordinance as requested by Davao City Councilor Jimmy Dureza, bearing the fact that the museum's location might be changed in the future.
The transfer is relative to the City Government's plan to build a P100-million worth of modernized musuem.
Davao City Councilor Jesus Melchor Quitain Jr. proposed that the phrase "without prejudice to the establishment of other buildings in other places for the same purpose" be added to the amended ordinance.
Davao City Bernard Al-ag, during the on Tuesday, May 16, session, said that the amendment is needed for the council to favorably endorse the building construction to the president as it is also among the requirements asked by the Office of the President to fund and commence the construction that will hopefully start within the year.
He added that the Museo Dabawenyo Advisory Board issued a resolution 1 recommending to the City Council to endorse to the Office of the President the construction of the new building.
Al-ag said that the same advisory board found that the area in People's Park is ideal for the museum since those who will conduct field trips can have a bigger parking space. The museum will also become more accessible at the People's Park.
Al-ag assured that since the museum will be a modern one, it will have stockrooms which will hold artifacts and cultural objects and its design will be prepared by the City Engineering's Office.
"The office of the president tasked the City Government of Davao to build our own design and they will build it for us," he said.
Councilor Rene Elias Lopez also suggested that the city's continuous budget for the museum should be secured.
Councilor Pilar Braga, who is also a member of the advisory board for the Museo Dabawenyo, said they conducted an ocular inspection in the area last week.
"We believe that the location is perfect for the museum," she said, adding that as part of the advisory team, they also proposed to hire a professional curator for the museum and to seek advice from the National museum to put up an "honest to goodness" museum.
Davao City Councilor Mabel Acosta also asked to make use of the old court of first instance building as an area for the city library.
Acosta said that way back, a P1.5 million budget was allotted for the Court of First Instance's renovation just to transform it into a museum. Many councilors co-sponsored the passing of the ordinance.