Draft study, design ready for Capitol bldg project

CEBU, Philippines - A consultancy firm hired by the Cebu provincial government to conduct feasibility study and design of a proposed 12-storey building inside the Capitol compound yesterday presented its drafts to Governor Hilario Davide III.

The A.S. Enriquez Engineering Consultancy submitted at least four designs and draft result of the feasibility study. The proposed infrastructure will replace the Baex building which was damaged by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013.

The Capitol has allocated P52 million for the feasibility study and designs which will be paid thru installment.

Davide said that under the package, AS Enriquez will do the feasibility study, design of the building and will manage the construction. The governor said the four designs will be submitted to the Provincial Board for approval.

As soon as the final design is approved, Davide will decide whether the project will be constructed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme, or through a loan that the Capitol will avail to finance the construction.

The building will house the command center of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and other offices. Davide said he wants the project to be implemented within his term.

The Baex building used to house the post office, civil service office, Provincial Information Office, and Comelec.

It was declared unsafe for occupancy because of the damage caused by the earthquake. —/FPL (FREEMAN)