CEBU, Philippines — Construction for the P3 billion worth Mandaue City Government Center is expected to start soon following the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, August 29, 2024, in Barangay Tipolo, where the old Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) is located.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in her speech, congratulated officials of Mandaue City government, headed by Mayor Jonas Cortes and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, on the groundbreaking of the project, stressing how this symbolizes the redemption of the old CICC.
“The CICC has a long and historic past. We thought it will just start to decay and be eradicated to the dustbin of forgotteness. Kini inyong proyekto karon mao kini ang redemption sa CICC can the redemption of the Cebuano spirit,” said the governor, after narrating how the convention center came to be that was constructed in eight months as the venue of the 12th ASEAN Summit in 2007 wherein 17 heads of state attended.
However, the CICC was destroyed by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit Cebu on October 15, 2013 and super typhoon Yolanda in the same year. Since then, the historic structure was left damaged, as the governor said was due to ugly politics.
Mayor Cortes, who is now serving his one-year suspension from office but was invited as special guest, in his speech said the groundbreaking is a powerful testament to the dreams they have nurtured as Mandauehanons.
“Karong adlawa, we are not just laying the foundation of a building. We are laying the foundation of our future. A future where every Mandauehanon feels cared for, heard, and served. This is a momentous occasion, a realization of a vision we have all shared for years,” Cortes said.
For a long time, Cortes said the Mandauehanons envisioned a center where all government services will be housed under one roof, making it more accessible for everyone.
“But this project goes beyond the construction of a physical structure. It is a symbol of our collective hope and our unwavering commitment to progress ang dugay na nga gipangandoy, natuman na gyud,” Cortes said.
Cortes also expressed gratitude to the governor for her support and dedication in achieving such dream of the Mandauehanos. He, likewise, thanked the residents of Mandaue for their trust and support to his administration.
“Today, we lay down more than just bricks and mortar. We lay down the foundation of a brighter, more connected Mandaue, because we are driven by our love for this city and our people. Bisan na sa mga hagit ug pagsulay nga atong giatubang karon, I will never ever regret serving the Mandauehanons. We will rise above these challenges. No one can stop us from building this government center and a future we can all be proud of,” Cortes further said.
The new Mandaue City Government Center aims to centralize government offices and other agencies in the city.
Cortes earlier said that it's high time for the city to have a new center for much better services considering that the current offices of the city are scattered in various locations.
The new government center, which is set to be completed in 35 months, will be the future seat of the city government as the city is moving forward to the future, Cortes said.
It will house the executive and legislative offices, national government satellite offices, public parks and playground, a parking building, and commercial spaces.
The building’s design is inspired by a modern watchtower, or “Bantayan sa Mandaue” that aims to attract tourists with its 360-degree view from the top. It is expected to be completed in 35 months.
The main building will house the frontline offices, a One-Stop-Shop for businesses, and a convention center.
The city government is also looking into a public private partnership for the Public Transport Terminal that will be constructed within the property.
Further, Architect Marlo Ocleasa, head of the City Planning and Development Office, said that the existing structure of CICC will not be demolished.
“The main building (the existing CICC) will be repaired and renovated. Dili i-demolish ang structural component of the building but we will improve and make use of the main building where public transactions are engaged,” Ocleasa added.
Funding for the government center is from a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines, which the city is set to pay in 15 years. — ATO (CEBU NEWS)