Plans for 23-story Mandaue City Hall make it tallest in Cebu

Mandaue City’s next government center will be the tallest City Hall in Cebu province with an initial cost of P800 million.

Plans for the 23-story building and details of every level will be finished this year, said  Jamaal James Calipayan, executive seretary of the mayor.

The building will rise on  5,000 square meters of the  8,000-square-meter lot of the old public market.

The design will apply principles of green architecture so the building can can save on electricity and water costs. The project is  expected to be completed by 2016.

Calipayan said the city intends to secure a loan for the  project and is considering the idea of selling its  share or interest in non-performing government structures that are not  earning much  income.

For now, said Calipayan, the city government is  waiting for terms of other banks that could give Mandue the best deal.

“We are still trying to look for funding sources,” he said.

Cebu City Hall near the Magellan’s Cross  is an eight-floor structure while its newer legislative building has four floors.

The new Mandaue City Hall building will house more than 2,000 employees including job order personnel and 36 department offices.

The first few floors will be a one-stop-shop called the Mandaue Investment Promotions and Activities Center that will display delicacies and products produced by the city.

“The plans are subject to change depending on the needs of the city like how many floors and other details,” Calipayan said.

City Administrator James Abadia said the building will be designed in a way that it can keep heat out but retain sunlight and would be  well-ventilated.

It will also be built to harvest rainwater and encourage recycling of waste.  The building will also highlight the heritage value of its nearby structures like the church and plaza.

The proposed City Hall building was inspired by the Bantayan sa Hari, a  Spanish period stone tower  where watchmen used to stand guard over the village.   Mayor Cortes said the present  Mandaue City Hall building could no longer accommodate its 36 departments.  Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos