City to plead anew for BOC building

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government will appeal anew to President Benigno Aquino III for custody of the Malacañang sa Sugbu after the Bureau of Customs recently wrote the president asking to take the building back.

Mayor Michael Rama said he would ask the President not to change heart considering that he has agreed earlier, albeit in principle, to entrust the building to the city government.

Just recently, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon asked Aquino to allow the BOC to transfer to the Malacañang sa Sugbu because the building it is occupying at present is no longer safe for occupancy.

Customs officials in Cebu City reported that their building was damaged during the recent quake. The 6.9-magnitude quake that hit Negros and Cebu last February 6 reportedly caused “grave structural damage” to their building.

Biazon fears that another tremor, even the slightest of it, might cause some portions of the building to collapse. He said the bureau cannot afford to take chances since their people’s safety is at stake.

The building where the BOC-Cebu holds office used to be the Philippine Ports Authority warehouse. BOC was relocated there after its centuries-old and historic building was converted into the president’s official residence in Cebu or Malacañang sa Sugbu during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Rama wants the city government to retain custody of the Malacañang sa Sugbu because it is reportedly part of the cluster of heritage buildings he is planning to restore and preserve. He wants to establish a heritage park where the Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro, Malacañang sa Sugbu, Campania Maritima, Gotiaco Building and Warwick Barracks shall be restored and “interconnected”.

The Office  of the President has already asked the city government to submit a proposal detailing what it plans to do with the building. No feedback has been returned just yet.

Rama said he wants to turn part of the Malacañang sa Sugbu into a museum while one room will be retained as the president’s residence. He wants to rename the president’s room into “Hero’s Hall,” which will also contain pictures and memorabilia of past presidents.

He also wants a small portion of the building converted into an office for the city’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission. — (FREEMAN)