Jonkie to greenlight construction of P3-billion Mandaue gov’t center

Local

DESPITE initial apprehensions over a P3-billion loan, newly elected Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano has committed to continuing the construction of the new Mandaue Government Center.

Ouano said there is a need to address overcrowding and outdated conditions in current city offices. He personally inspected city offices from July 1 to 3 and noted that many departments are crammed into spaces too small to function efficiently.

“Ako lang na-observe kuwang g’yud sila og s

pace,” he told reporters.

The mayor stressed that the new government center will play a crucial role in improving public services and operational capacity.

The facility, currently under construction in Barangay Tipolo on a 4.3-hectare site across the old Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), is intended to consolidate all local departments and national government agencies into a single eight-story, one-stop-shop building.

The project, initiated during former Mayor Jonas Cortes’ term, is funded by a P3-billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines, payable over 15 years.

While supportive of the project's objectives, Ouano admitted that he had preferred a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model instead of a loan.

“Ang akoang apprehension una ana kay atoang loan P3 billion. Dako baya na nga financial burden sa city nga pwede unta nato maallocate sa social services para sa senior ma in-place, PWD, and so on," he said.

"Kaya ra sa city tinuod pero naa tay ma-sacrifice ba ang uban services,” he added.

He expressed concern that funds tied to the loan could have otherwise been redirected to increase aid for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

However, with the loan already finalized and construction underway, Ouano said his administration would honor the plan and proceed with the project.

“Pero taas naman kaayo ang proseso, tulo ra baya ta katuig. Wala na man ta nitan-aw beyond my term in 2028. So, ipadayun lang tana existing plan nasugdan naman na, gi-loan naman gyud na,” he said.

The first structure to rise on the site will be the Iconic Building, estimated to cost P2.5 billion.

According to the project’s master plan presented by the contractor, WT Construction Inc., the Iconic Building will house the city’s executive and legislative offices.

The main building, to follow, will accommodate frontline departments and service counters.

Although the CICC stands on the same property, it is not part of the current construction footprint. Ouano said he intends to pursue a PPP to redevelop the old convention

center into a business park.

Ouano cited its high real estate value and potential for transformation similar to Cebu IT Park or Bonifacio Global City.

“Pero mora’g lisod naman na daghan na kaayong proseso,” he said, admitting that pursuing such a shift midstream would be challenging within a three-year term.

Ouano disclosed that his administration is also open to PPP arrangements for other components of the government center, excluding the Iconic Building, as a way to reduce fiscal pressure.(MyTVCebu)