BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan directed relevant offices of the local government to study the possibility of utilizing a vacant lot for the construction of a multi-storey building for parking and to accommodate the expansion of other offices of the city government.
The local chief executive admitted the existing city hall building is already overcrowded aside from the fact that there is no available space for expansion that is why the local government must take back the 1,500 square meter vacant lot near the Baguio fire department to build the proposed multi-storey structure.
“There is no more available space within the city hall premises where we could construct structures to accommodate the expansion of existing city hall offices. We have to look for other alternative properties of the local government within the vicinity of city hall where we could build a multi-storey structure primarily for parking and other government needs in the future,” Domogan stressed.
He revealed the local government ceded the 1,500-square meter property near the Baguio fire department to the Registry of Deeds for the construction of its building but the project never pushed through for still unknown reasons.
Aside from the construction of a multi-level parking building in the vacant lot, Domogan claimed part of the structure that will be built will be used as extension offices of other local government offices to make sure that services are effectively and efficiently delivered to the residents and visitors alike.
Further, he instructed the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) to include in the project plans and specifications the construction of a bridge that will connect the multi-storey structure and the main city hall building to allow for the smooth transactions to be done in the different government offices that may be located in separate structures within the city hall compound.
He added once the building will be completed, the city government will have a parking area for government vehicles and the current city hall parking area could be used by people who are transacting business with the different offices.
According to him, since the Registry of Deeds has not utilized the areas for its prescribed purpose the city will take it back as it now as the city needs additional structures that could be maximized for expansion of other offices and primarily for parking of government and private vehicles to reduce the overcrowding of motor vehicles within the city hall premises during peak business hours.
He pointed out the rapid increase in motor vehicles and individuals transacting business is inevitable so it is important for the city government to respond to the situation to support officials and employees effectively and efficiently delivering quality service.
By Dexter A. See
