City officials got a visual preview of the planned Mandaue City Government Center after the project’s scale model was formally turned over to the city government on January 29, 2025.
Contractor WT Construction Inc. presented the model to Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano and Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, along with members of the City Council, during a ceremonial turnover.
The P2.5-billion government center will rise on the former Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) site in Barangay Tipolo and is targeted for completion by 2027.
The 10-storey structure is envisioned as a one-stop government hub that will house various city offices and departments.
The project is being financed through a P3-billion loan secured by the previous administration from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
Groundbreaking was held on August 29, 2024, in line with Mandaue City’s Charter Day celebrations.
City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on Jr. said construction resumed about two weeks ago after the contractor was cleared to return to work.
He said the suspension orders issued last year had already been lifted, but construction activities were delayed by the Christmas break.
The project was halted in September 2024 after Mayor Ouano ordered a suspension of work upon the recommendation of the City Engineering Office, citing the contractor’s failure to immediately submit required documents, including the Detailed Engineering Design and Estimates (DEDE).
Construction resumed after WT Construction Inc. complied with the remaining engineering requirements set by the city government.
Ouano earlier confirmed that the contractor was allowed to proceed after securing clearance from the City Engineering Office, particularly the submission of the required pouring certificate for the building’s foundation.
“Hopefully, they can recover the lost time. They were asked to submit a catch-up plan,” Malig-on said.
Malig-on said the administration recently reviewed and updated the project’s design and layout, noting minor adjustments in space utilization.
“These are not major changes. They are mostly interior adjustments on how the spaces will be utilized,” he said.
He added that Ouano is keen on completing the project by 2027, prompting the city government to require a catch-up plan from the contractor.
The overall project cost remains at P2.5 billion, with an additional P500 million set aside as a standby fund for interior works.
Ouano has said the new government center will benefit city offices and departments, noting that the existing Mandaue Presidencia building in Barangay Centro is already old and outdated.(VCL)
