SP’s exclusive use of legislative building may be delayed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco said that the plan to dedicate the entire legislative building for exclusive use of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan may be delayed as national government agencies (NGAs) occupying parts of the building still need to be properly relocated.

Soco said that while improvements inside the building have already started, the long-term plan to reclaim all spaces for legislative use depends on the orderly transfer of national offices currently housed there.

“We’ll have to work with the executive department, because they (NGAs) also have to be properly relocated,” Soco said.

He added that the direction has been set in coordination with Governor Pamela Baricuatro, particularly in moving out national agencies to allow the Provincial Board to fully utilize the building for its intended purpose.

According to Soco, the legislative building was originally designed exclusively for legislative functions, but over the years, office spaces were also allocated to national agencies.

“Ever since I started in my legislative work as a board member, we always wanted to have more space in the legislative building,” he said.

He noted that the need for additional space has become more pressing with the current composition of the Provincial Board.

At present, the Vice Governor’s Conference Room is the only formal meeting space available for committee hearings and official gatherings.

Soco said this setup limits the ability of committees to conduct regular meetings, especially as many are actively tackling legislative matters.

“We intend to make more conference rooms that can be used by the Provincial Board members because our committees are very active,” he said.

Due to the lack of space, some meetings are held inside individual board members’ offices, which Soco described as cramped and not conducive to formal discussions.

He stressed that committee work is a vital part of the legislative process, particularly when resource persons from national agencies and local government units are invited.

Soco added that the shortage of rooms has also delayed other improvement plans for the building, including the possible establishment of a canteen.

The timeline for fully reclaiming the building remains uncertain due to existing arrangements with national offices.

Soco pointed out that some agencies, such as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), have lease contracts with the Province that must be respected.

Other agencies currently occupying space in the building include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu Province, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and the Commission on Audit (COA).

He said coordination with the executive department is necessary to ensure a smooth transition.

NGAs currently occupy offices on the second floor of the legislative building—an area the Provincial Board plans to convert into additional offices and committee rooms once vacated.

While waiting for the relocations to be finalized, Soco said the board continues to maximize available space.

“Although duna nay plans and directions, amo lang sa karon is any space nga available sa amoa jud ng gamiton,” he said.

The space issue is further compounded by the number of committees under the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which now has 24 standing committees.

These include committees on Information and Communications Technology; Public Health; Public Safety, Peace and Order, and Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention; Laws and Review on Ordinances; and Complaints and Investigation.

Other committees cover Provincial and Municipal Properties; Agriculture and Livelihood; Basic Education; Higher and Technical Education; Youth and Sports Development; Human Rights and Labor; and Planning and Development.

Also included are committees on Ways and Means; Arts and Culture; Women, Family, and Minors; Commerce and Industry; Cooperatives; Accreditation; Senior Citizens; Ethics; Energy; Traffic and Transportation; Foreign and Local Relations; and Differently-Abled Persons.

Soco expressed hope that once the relocations are completed, the Provincial Board will finally have the space it needs to efficiently carry out its legislative functions. — (FREEMAN)