Gordon, Hontiveros pledge funds for library renovation

CEBU, Philippines — Two senators have pledged funds to help the Cebu City Government in the renovation of Rizal Memorial Library on Osmeña Boulevard which is now operating 24/7 starting last Friday.

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Richard “Dick” Gordon saw the need to extend their help in order to improve the facilities at the public library.

On Saturday, Osmeña posted on his Facebook account about the promised aid from the two senators.

“I am happy to announce that Senators Risa Hontiveros and Dick Gordon have both pledged to help renovate the library! Sen. Risa is allocating 3M from her office. As for Dick, we’ll see how big it becomes,” his post read.

The mayor further said Gordon has asked his office to submit the Program of Works and Expenses (POWE) for  the renovation of the public library so that he can identify what kind of help to extend.

“With this support, we will be able to renovate the Sinulog Hall on top of the library, which can easily accommodate another 200 students. We will also be renovating other unused city-owned buildings and rooms around the city to serve as local study centers to give students an alternative to coffeeshops,” it added.

Assistant City Administrator Annabeth Cuizon told The FREEMAN that they submitted the request letter to Hontiveros last Thursday.

Today, the city government is expected to submit the POWE to Gordon.

Cuizon said Gordon is aware of the renovation after Councilor Margarita “Margot”Osmeña talked to him after the Philippine Red Cross event last Friday.

Cuizon said the city government needs P40 million to completely renovate the library.

However, at present the city government only has P 1 million from the office of Rep. Raul Del Mar.

"The entire building needs to be renovated actually. It’s not the library alone. We need to fix the roof, comfort rooms, plumbing, electrical and ceilings of the entire building. For the library itself, we need to upgrade air-conditioning units, upgrade the computers, provide additional space as study areas, provide an area for an audio visual room," Cuizon said.

Due to the lack of funds, she said the executive department will find ways on how to source out funds for the renovation.

"SB needs a new source of fund to pass. I have to check with the budget officer if there is one. But for now, I’m crossing my fingers. I know blessings will come if it’s for a good intention," Cuizon further said.

Since last Friday, many students flock to the library in order to study in a more conducive environment.

It was last week that Osmeña decided to open the library 24 hours following the request of a student from Cebu Institute of Technology-University.

Mitch Roldan made a request through Facebook asking the mayor to open the library 24 hours for students who wish to study.

“Mayor, I’m also hoping and praying that you will consider having the public library be open for 24/7 for us students who really need to study a library setting. I think students will be glad to pay a little amount to keep the services good kaysa magsige mig spend sa McDo niya papahawaon ra diay after pila ka hours. Hope this will be considered,” she said.

Cuizon said that there were several students who went to the library which is a good indication that the mayor made the right decision to open it 24 hours.

“Yes. On the first 24 hours which was Friday to Saturday morning, we had 613 clients (that’s from 8 a.m -5:30 am and following day, Saturday, until this morning (Sunday), we had 1,002,”she said.

At present, there are 15 personnel assigned at the library for its maintenance and other functions and at least three Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) members are detailed for security. (FREEMAN)