The Commission on Population and Development (CPD), formerly known as Population Commission of PopCom, has started construction of its new and bigger office facility on a Capitol-owned lot at the DA Compound along M. Velez Street in Cebu City.
Acting Governor Hilario Davide III graced the groundbreaking ceremony for the new 2-storey facility that sits on a 1,008-square-meter Capitol property. He was joined by CPD Central Office Finance and Management Division Chief Administrative Officer Fatima Corpuz and CPD 7 Director Atty. Bruce Ragas.
“Please be assured that the Cebu Provincial Government is behind and supports you sa inyong mga population-related activities and programs,” Acting Gov. Davide said in his speech on September 12.
CPD 7 is currently occupying a smaller 501-square-meter Capitol-owned lot along Gov. M. Cuenco Ave. in Brgy. Banilad. But due to the area’s close proximity to the Cebu IT Park, the Capitol, under Gov. Gwen Garcia, has asked CPD 7 and other government agencies to transfer to other better-suited Capitol-owned lots so that the Capitol may fully maximize the use of the Banilad Property through income-generating economic enterprises.
The new facility will be constructed with a budget of P29.4 million, with funding coursed through the Department of Public Works and Highways.
During Gov. Gwen’s birthday last year, she signed usufruct agreements for 25 years with CPD 7, Cebu Medical Society, Girls Scout of the Philippines Cebu Chapter, and National Food Authority 7 for them to vacate the Capitol’s Banilad Property and transfer to other Capitol Properties either in Sudlon, Lahug or the DA Compound.
Atty. Wagas revealed that it took CPD 7 three executive directors, two regional directors, and three administrations at the Capitol to be able to finally carry out the transfer.
“The road that we followed through the years was winding and not easy. Mao na nga nia ta karon to celebrate the success,” Atty. Ragas said.
CPD, an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority responsible for policy-making and coordinating the country’s population management programs, is the first agency currently occupying Capitol-owned Banilad Property to begin relocating to another Capitol-owned property.
Also present were Office of the Ombudsman Visayas Assistant Ombudsman Atty. Gaudioso Melendez and CPD 7 Assistant Director Darlynn Remolino. | BJR