Rama wants probe on Plaza Independencia structure

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants to find out who approved the construction of the electrical and technical monitoring building inside Plaza Independencia.

The building houses the control room for the subway.

According to Rama, the original plan was for the building to be built but not in the said area because of its environmental effects. It also destroys the view of Fort San Pedro and Malacañang sa Sugbo.

“I will research on who approved its construction, aron makahibalo ang mga tawo. Kay ang sabot ani sa original plan, dili i-construct nganha but natukod lang gihapon siya. I’m doing this so that, dili ta mapasanginlan sa mga tawo in the near future, (I want to know who approved the construction so that the people will know because originally, it was not supposed to be built there. I’m doing this so that people will not blame us in the future.)” he said.

On the other hand, Rama plans to make the Malacañang sa Sugbo into a heritage museum as it will now be preserved and will no longer be returned to the Bureau of Customs.

Rama proposed that the Malacañang sa Sugbo will be used as the official residence of the current president and the succeeding presidents once they visit Cebu, but the administration is not in favor of it.

However, Rama is grateful to President Benigno Aquino III for allowing the Cebu City Government to finally have custody of the Malacañang sa Sugbo.

To recall, Aquino told Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez not to transfer the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) offices to the Malacañang sa Sugbo.

The building was formerly occupied by the BOC until former president Gloria Arroyo converted it into Malacañang sa Sugbo.

Rama would like to preserve the building, as it has become part of the city’s cultural heritage and landmark. –Marigold P. Lebumfacil/MIT

He wants Malacañang sa Sugbo to be incorporated with the Fort San Pedro, Plaza Independencia in his Heritage Village Tour.

He has plans of housing a museum without necessarily displacing the President’s official residence in Cebu. –(FREEMAN)