New building to house Talisay government offices

CEBU, Philippines - A new building in Talisay City will bring together key offices of the city government to a single location.

The so-called “combo building,” which will rise near the City Hall, will house the city’s command center, police sub-station, fire department, disaster risk reduction and management office, and medical center, among others.

The building will be donated by Aboitiz Foundation.

“It’s really a labor of love from the Aboitiz family,” said Talisay Mayor Eduardo Gullas.

Last Wednesday, Gullas and some of City Hall’s department heads met with Aboitiz’s Eric Ching, head of the Visayan Electric Company’s Reputation Enhancement Department, and Bengin Mendezona, Aboitiz’ head of security.

Ching said Aboitiz chose to donate the building to Talisay because the city lacks infrastructure that can accommodate services in one location.

“Mura ni siya’g one-stop shop nga naa na tanan… public safety center. We want that we reach the expectations of mayor, dili siya ma-disappoint,” he said.

Gullas said it was agreed during the meeting that construction of the building will begin early next year.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has allocated P14 million for the construction of the new Talisay Police Station.

The national headquarters said the city government must provide a new area on which to build the station because the current location at the back of the Talisay City College is too small for the proposed new building.

Gullas said he is willing to donate a portion of the Talisay City College to expand the lot of the police station.

Construction of the new station is expected to start early next year. (FREEMAN)