Spanish theme eyed for Mandaue plaza facelift

CEBU, Philippines - A look-back to the country's colonial past will be the theme of Mandaue City government's development of its City Hall plaza.

City Administrator James Abadia said although there is already a concept for the development of the plaza, the city won't "just push through" with the project without consultation from the constituents.

"Dili ta basta-basta nga mousab sa area kay ang mahitabo unya basin og dili ganahan ang mga tawo," he said.

Abadia clarified that the city does not want to destroy the present park but only to enhance the area considering that it is where most people congregate.

He said the city will preserve the area in a way reminiscent of the Spanish era, with the City Hall, the plaza, the church, market and school are converged in one place to form a "poblacion."

Abadia added that there used to be a fountain in front of the City Hall during the time of the late mayor Demetrio Cortes Sr. and the city, according to him, now wants to construct a new fountain in the same location.

"We have to restore the place for the people to congregate nga ma-enjoy sad sila and this is what we wanted to realize," he said.

Aside from a fountain, the plaza will also host a public amphitheater.

Apart from the improvement of the City Hall plaza, the city government earlier announced that a new public market will be built during the first quarter of this year.  (FREEMAN)