Labella: Capitol’s 20-storey bldg still needs CHAC’s ok

THE construction of the 20-storey skyrise within the Cebu Provincial Capitol compound may take a little longer to start because the Cebu provincial government will still need the approval of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) of Cebu City.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who sits as CHAC’s chairperson, said the proponents behind the Capitol’s P1.3-billion Resource Center will have to secure a go-signal from their office.

The Capitol compound is located along Escario Street in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City.

Labella said CHAC received a request from concerned citizens and their partners from the private sector for them to deliberate on the project.

“There is a request from some partners about it, and it is being deliberated by CHAC right now,” Labella said.

“(In terms of acquiring clearance to construct), they will both have to get them from CHAC and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP),” he added.

However, Labella said the city has yet to issue its position on the matter.

He added that CHAC will discuss the “historical and heritage dimensions” of the proposed 20-storey edifice which will be located just a few meters from the Capitol’s historic executive building.

“Our position is still subject for consensus within members of CHAC. As for the guidelines on proposing projects, we will definitely tackle their historical and heritage dimensions,” explained Labella.

Saying it distorts the Capitol’s image as a historical landmark, the NHCP, in a letter dated last March and signed by NHCP chairman Rene Escalante, has asked the Cebu provincial government to forego the construction of the 20-storey building at the Capitol compound.

The provincial government, through its Bid and Awards Committee (BAC), has awarded the project to WT Construction last November.