Cortes urged to find suitable sites for People’s Center

THERE are other suitable locations for the proposed P1-billion People’s Center than the old market site near Mandaue City Hall, a business leader said yesterday.

Eric Mendoza, former president of the Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said placing the People’s Center in the 8,000 square meter lot would congest the area due to the presence of commercial outlets.

“Yes, we need to reconsider other alternatives and a more ideal location. We in the private sector are ready to assist the mayor in making this one-stop-business center for investors,” he said.

Calling the concept of a one-stop shop People’s Center “very laudable”, Mendoza said he and the City’s Trade and Investment Board chaired by Mayor Jonas Cortes will submit recommendations for other viable locations.

He said the board toured the city in search of suitable areas to build the People’s Center.

Mendoza said the site should help decongest the city’s traffic and still be accessible to the public.

Mendoza said there’s a lot in the Reclamation Area which looks ideal for the People’s Center.

“More ideal sites will be presented to the mayor but it will still be his prerogative to change it or not,” he added.

At 8,000 square meters, Cortes said the People’s Center will be the biggest City Hall in Cebu province.

He said the center will house the Mandaue City Investments Promotions Action Center and some national government agencies.

The Mandaue City mayor said he envisions the center as a place “where clients can comfortably transact with government in a structure that is sustainable, green, functional, and beautiful.

Cortes said the old City Hall, also known as the Presidencia, will be converted into a museum.

He said the old offices can be leased to investors so the city can earn additional income. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos