Cebu Gov. Garcia vows to transfer provincial capitol’s location

The historical capitol building in uptown Cebu City. (DALE ISRAEL / INQUIRER VISAYAS)

CEBU CITY — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia announced she will make good on her plans to transfer the seat of power of the provincial government from Cebu City to Balamban town, west Cebu.

The governor said she hopes that the construction of the government center project in Balamban will start within the year or the soonest time possible.

She said that the national government has already allocated P200 million in the General Appropriations Act of 2022 to help the province of Cebu in “relocating” the government center in Balamban.

“The design of the government center or the executive offices will be a replica of this Capitol (in Cebu City),” Garcia said.

Balamban town, which is located 52 kilometers from Cebu City, is known for its ship-building industry.

The governor met with regional officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last August 3 to discuss the construction of the new provincial government center in Balamban.

“We are moving forward. We need to start already lest the amount of P200 million be set aside. That is why DPWH is anxious to start,” Garcia said.

The Cebu provincial government, she said, also allocated at least P500 million for the new government center.

At present, Garcia said the province is negotiating with several lot owners in Balamban where the new government center will be built.

The provincial government center in Balamban will also include a housing complex for its workers and office buildings for some national government offices.

Once the provincial government center in Balamban is completed, Garcia wants the old capitol building in Cebu City to be preserved for tourism and other activities.

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