Senior citizens park to rise near city hall

CITY Hall will clear remnants of an old building along M.C. Briones Street where vendors are now plying their trade to pave way for the construction of the senior citizen’s park.

The 1914 Gotiaoco Building beside the proposed senior citizen’s park is also set for restoration to house a museum of Chinese heritage. City Hall also got the permission from the Cebu Ports Authority’s to use the Compania Maritime building in the area.

Mayor Michael Rama said he wants the entire parcel of land owned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) where the senior citizens park is to be developed by the city’s parks and playgrounds commission fenced and adjoining properties propped up as a tourism showcase.

Rama said this would complement his efforts of promoting the city hall square wing, which includes the Carbon Market, Plaza Sugbu where the Magellan’s Cross is located, Basilica del Sto. Niño, Malacañang sa Sugbu and Plaza Independencia into a tourism destination.

Rama also said that he wants to develop the Malacañang sa Sugbu’s seaside for tourists to enjoy the place’s cozy ambiance and relax just like coffee shops in European countries.

“I am calling a meeting with the different tourists guides and DOT. Gusto nako ipahibawo kanila nga lahi na ang Carbon karon. Daghan na ang mobisita sa atong Plaza Sugbu. Sa una mahadlok sila nga imbes mag enjoy mag sige na hinoon ug bantay kung naa bay mangunguot,” he said.

Also, he has managed to convince CPA to allow the city to use the old and abandoned Compania Maritime building as part of the plaza that the city government wanted to establishment across the city hall executive building.

The mayor said the 1914 Gotiaocao building, which is now being leased by lawyer Augusto Go, will be retrofitted and restored to house the museum of Chinese heritage.

“Maybe Atty. Go is extending the lease of the building and he will be spending for its retrofit to preserve the structure,” said Rama.

Rama said he would also try to convince Go of find other donors that will help the city spend for the retrofitting and restoration of a structure located at the back of the Gotiaco building, which he wanted to convert into a senior citizens center.

Rama said the center may also be used as office for the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), which now occupies an office space at the ground floor of the city hall executive building.

Rama also said that the clearing of structure along M.C. Briones Street that is now being used by vendors is very urgent as the structure, which consist mostly of columns and walls, has been weakened by the Feb. 6, 2012, earthquake.