Refurbished DPWH quarters in Davao ready for GMA use

DAVAO CITY – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials refuse to call it a “presidential mansion in Mindanao,” referring to it as just plain “living quarters.”

For the first time tomorrow, President Arroyo is reportedly set to use the structure that used to be the living quarters of visiting engineers of the DPWH inside its depot in Barangay Panacan this city.

She is expected to arrive tomorrow to address the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat regional convention and join the celebration marking the cityhood of the capital town of Mati in Davao Oriental.

“A picture of the quarters was shown to the President sometime last February when she was here in Davao City, and she liked it, which was why it had to be refurbished, so she could use it,” a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The STAR.

Local officials said the two-story structure could be considered as some sort of a “Malacañang in Mindanao” because its management has already been turned over to the Office of the President, particularly the Presidential Management Staff and the Presidential Security Group.

The nine-room structure, painted white, reportedly directly faces the Davao Gulf and has a clear view of Samal Island, just five minutes away by ferry from mainland Davao City.

“Of the nine rooms, two are what you could say are very presentable and could be used by the President,” a DPWH source said.

Further refurbishing of the building’s fixtures, including landscaping, was reportedly done for the past few weeks, costing the government P7 million, aside from its initial project amount of over P20 million.

The President’s room reportedly has a veranda that overlooks the sea and nearby Samal Island.

The same source said security has been very tight inside the DPWH compound that also houses the agency’s regional depot just beside the headquarters of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command and the Army’s 10th Infantry Division inside the Philippine Navy’s Camp Panacan.

After Mrs. Arroyo decided to turn the living quarters into some kind of a presidential headquarters in the city, the DPWH building has reportedly been restricted.

Tomorrow night, Mrs. Arroyo will reportedly host a dinner for local officials, also at the DPWH quarters.   – Edith Regalado