CEBU CITY, Philippines—The renovations on Malacañang sa Sugbo, the President’s official residence in the Visayas, into a “heritage place” will be completed before the middle of October this year, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino said.
Dino said their priority is not only to make the structure look good but also to ensure that it is safe.
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The building, the erstwhile Bureau of Customs Building popularly called Aduana, is a century-old historical landmark located in the city’s port area.
It was converted into the Malacañang sa Sugbo in 2004 during the term of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but was left unused during the six-year presidency of Benigno Aquino III.
“The structure was built in 1906 so it might be very dangerous now. We need to fix it not only as an office but as a heritage place,” Dino said in a press conference at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command on Friday.
Dino, who will be holding office in the building, recalled how the structure was also damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and Supertyphoon “Yolanda” that hit Cebu both in 2013.
Renovations on the structure located in the Port Area here started last July 28.
President Rodrigo Duterte might use the building for meetings during his visits here, according to Dino.
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Dino said they still have to determine the exact cost of the renovations. RAM