GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of Sarangani is pushing for the completion before yearend of the initial phase of its PHP90-million legislative building.
Shiela Mejia, project coordinator of the Office of the Vice Governor, said Monday the building’s first segment is now about 80 percent complete and the ongoing construction works are being fast-tracked to meet the targeted completion date.
She specifically cited the left wing foundation of the legislative building, which received a funding of PHP10 million from Sarangani Rep. Ruel Pacquiao.
The construction of the three-story structure’s right wing foundation and columns, which has an allocation of PHP10 million from the provincial government, will start within the month, she said.
Mejia said they expect the completion of the building’s right wing in three months, based on the contract with Jiclum Builders and Enterprise.
After its completion, she said the Department of Public Works and Highways will immediately start with the construction of the left wing’s second level that would cost around PHP20 million.
“Senator (Emmanuel) Pacquiao had committed an additional PHP30 million for the other remaining components,” she said in a statement.
The new legislative building, which broke ground in March last year, was designed as a neo-classical structure similar to the James L. Chiongbian or main provincial capitol building.
The project, which occupies a total of 2,840 square meters of the capitol compound in Alabel town, will feature energy-conserving and ergonomically-designed structures.
When completed, the new building will have a floor area of 3,436 square meters and a parking lot that can accommodate 20 to 25 vehicles.
The 300-square meter session hall will be located on the second floor and designed to accommodate 100 people.
The building will also host a library and a museum.
Mejia said they are targeting to utilize the building’s ground floor level by next year for the offices of the provincial board members.
She said the board is planning to seek an additional funding of PHP20 million in 2019 to facilitate the building’s full completion.
Rep. Pacquiao earlier said he considers the project as a fulfillment of his promise “to bring in more infrastructure development” and speed up progress in Sarangani.
He said the new legislative building would be “an added inspiration in crafting relevant and effective legislations for the province.” (PNA)
