Council to tackle P19 million proposal

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has called for an executive session to tackle the proposed budget of at least P19 million for the rehabilitation of Cebu City Hall’s legislative building.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure, amended an earlier resolution seeking for the approval of the said budget, and instead moved for an executive session so that plans on the renovation will be properly presented.

The council approved the executive session which is set for September 25, 2024, to be able to substantiate the proposal.

As stated in the resolution, the Office of the City Budget Officer issued a certification last June 28, 2024, stating “Buildings-Renovation of Legislative Building Available” from the account of the Sangguniang Panlungsod-Secretariat capital outlay which is at P80 million.

The Programs of Works and Estimates (POWE) was prepared by Engr. Lowell Corminal, the City Engineer at the Department Of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), which was the first endorsement to charge the project.

Likewise, a certification on the availability of funds dated July 23, 2024, was also issued by the Office of the City Treasurer saying that there is enough funding to cover the rehabilitation project which total sum was initially set at P19,828,121.

In a text message to The Freeman yesterday, August 18, 2024, Guardo said the rehabilitation includes repainting, changing of aluminum cladding and electrical lights, and repairing the wear and tear of its paint. The rehabilitation covers the whole building, he said.

The legislative building of the Cebu City Hall houses the Office of the Vice Mayor and all the offices of the members of the city council.

In the same edifice are the Office of the City Legal, Clinic and Child Minding Center, Customer Service, City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program, the Civil Security Unit (CSU), and the Doña Eve Macaraeg- Macapagal Session hall. (CEBU NEWS)