CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is asking President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to keep the Malacañang sa Sugbo or convert it into a museum if he is not interested to use it instead of returning it to the Bureau of Customs.
Mayor Michael Rama does not want that the old customs building, which former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo used as her official residence in Cebu, will be returned to the BOC.
Customs collector Ronnie Silvestre is working to recover the property if the President will no longer use it. Silvestre’s move is supported by customs commissioner Joselito Alvarez.
However, Rama said they will write a letter to Aquino to ask him to keep the Malacañang sa Sugbo or convert it into a museum or anything that will preserve its heritage prominence.
Rama said that he could not give up the Plaza after the city government has spent a lot for its renovation when it was destroyed in 2008 due to the construction of the tunnel.
The phase 1 of the renovation of the Plaza is expected to be finished this October while phase 2 and phase 3 shall be finished before the year ends.
Rama, who is an advocate for the preservation and promotion of the history and culture of Cebu is strongly against the destruction or conversion of the historical infrastructures.
He said that the Malacañang sa Sugbo has been there since 1910. It is built originally to house the BOC but in 2004 Arroyo use it as her official residence.
Rama wants everything in the Malacañang sa Sugbo to be preserved including the memorabilia of the former administration.
BOC is now leasing the building of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) at a monthly rental of P50,000.
Recently, it announced its plan to get back their nine-hectare property so they will not have to spend more for rent. The plan was revived after the president expressed no interest in keeping the building.
Rama said he hopes that the President will be able to help the BOC in finding another place where it can hold office if it is all of the bureau’s concern.
Rama has plans for the Malacañang sa Sugbo, Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro as well as the Campagna Maritima. (THE FREEMAN)