Palace holding on to Malacañang sa Sugbo

CEBU, Philippines - Malacañang is inclined on preserving the Malacañang sa Sugbo and is likely to turn down the demand of the Bureau of Customs to be allowed to take back the property.

Mayor Michael Rama said this was apparent during his meeting with the officials in Malacañang during his latest visit there after his trip to Wuhan, China.

Rama said Malacañang is inclined to develop the area into a heritage site to preserve the historical value of the building built in 1910.

The building used to be the office of the Bureau of Customs until 2004 when former president Gloria Arroyo converted it to the Malacañang sa Sugbo that served as her residence whenever she would visit Cebu.

Rama said that the Presidential Management Staff already asked for their plans for the Malacañang sa Sugbo.

The mayor wants to make the place part of the Heritage Park he is planning that will consist of the Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro, Malacañang sa Sugbo and possibly the Campania Maritima.

Rama said it will be one of the must-visit places in Cebu for local and foreign tourists who are interested to know the history and culture of Cebu.

For the building alone, he said he wants to turn part of it to a museum while one room will be retained as the president’s residence. He wants to rename the president’s room as the Hero’s Hall which will also contain pictures and memorabilia.

A small portion might also be occupied as offices by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.

The detailed plan, he said, will be submitted to Malacañang very soon.

Rama also wants that the property covered by the Malacañang sa Sugbo to be titled under the name of city.

After Arroyo’s term ended, the BOC demanded that the property be returned to them but Rama appealed to the president for its preservation.

BOC did not only demand the return of the Malacañang but also the Plaza which is also a BOC property. But the city is not willing to give up the property after spending millions for the rehabilitation and preservation of the plaza. (FREEMAN)