IBP to transfer to new building

CEBU, Philippines —  The offices of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Cebu City and Cebu province chapters will soon be found at a new building inside the Department of Agriculture (DA) compound along M. Velez St. in Cebu city.

The Cebu Provincial Engineering's Office reported that IBP's new building, standing in a 648-square meter lot, is already "90 percent complete."

IBP Cebu's current building is located inside a 200-square-meter lot inside the Capitol compound.

In a meeting with Gov.  Gwen Garcia, IBP Cebu City and Cebu Chapter officials, headed by Atty. Michael Francis Hubahib and Atty. Rosendo Hernaez III, respectively, had agreed with the Capitol's offer for IBP to relocate them.

The governor told them the current IBP area of IBP inside the Capitot compound is no longer "viable and appropriate."

IBP's new home at the DA compound is suitable since other offices from the justice department are also located there, like the regional, provincial, and city prosecutor’s office; the Public Attorney’s Office; Office of the Ombudsman; and the Cebu City and Cebu provincial Registry of Deeds.

The Capitol owns properties at the DA compound, including the lot the IBP would use, which is covered by a 25-year usufruct agreement.

After the 2013 earthquake that hit Cebu, many judiciary offices vacated the Palace of Justice at the back of the Capitol, as it was declared unfit for occupancy.

The regional trial courts, in particular, are now located at Qimonda building at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City. — RHM (FREEMAN)