Oslob building new town hall

CEBU, Philippines — A bigger and modern municipal building would soon rise for Oslob, Cebu, after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia led its groundbreaking with Mayor Ronald Guaren and Oslob municipal council members recently.

The New 1,200-square-meter building will be situated near the old one at the town proper and is projected to be finished by next year.

In her speech during the groundbreaking ceremony, Garcia said the provincial government will also allocate funds as aid to the municipal government for this undertaking.

Sugbo News, the Provincial Government's official Facebook page, reported that Oslob's new seat of government would have four storeys and a roof deck, which is a considerable upgrade from the old municipal building, which only has two floors.

Guaren also said the old municipal hall will be preserved and used as a facility for socio-cultural events.

Department of Tourism (DOT)-7 Director and DOT Undersecretary Shalimar Tamano and Provincial Board Members Stanley Caminero, Raymond Calderon, and Red Duterte were also present during the occasion.

While in Oslob, the governor also visited the whale shark watching activity in Brgy.  Tan-awan, Oslob to personally assess the situation at the world-famous tourist spot.

Mayor Guaren  had previously asked the Capitol’s assistance in building a bigger facility that could accommodate the growing number of tourists who need to be given an orientation first before they can be allowed to swim with the whale sharks..

An estimated 1,000 people visit Oslob each day for the whale shark-watching activity, the mayor had said.

The governor also talked with tourism stakeholders in Tan-awan and urged them to maintain sustainable tourism practices for the benefit of future Cebuanos.

The governor is expected to come up with a more informed course of action in the coming days, to help Oslob improve its whale-watching facilities and operations. — (FREEMAN)