The construction of the province’s new capitol in the shipbuilding town of Balamban is expected to create more economic activity in the western corridor of the island, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said Tuesday.

In a statement, Garcia said site development of the new capitol building that will stand on a 2.3-hectare and 135-meter above-sea-level lot in Barangay Cambuhawe is over 70 percent complete.

She said the new capitol building will be an exact replica of the original facility in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, but with modern amenities.

The provincial government is also eyeing to acquire an additional 50 hectares of land around the new capitol site to accommodate provincial and regional offices of national line agencies, as well as departmental offices of the provincial government.

In 2022, the national government allocated PHP200 million from the General Appropriations Act for this project.

Garcia thanked Senator Sonny Angara who committed another PHP100 million for the construction of the edifice itself, while Senator Francis Tolentino promised PHP80 million for developing access roads leading to the site.

“An amount of PHP500 million was earmarked by the provincial government for the new capitol building project,” Garcia said, adding that any funding poured in for the project would translate to more economic activities for the province.

Balamban is a first-class municipality but is vying for cityhood status.

Since it is situated right at the center of the province, Balamban is expected to be more accessible from both the north and the south and just an hour drive from this capital city through the Transcentral Highway. (PNA)

Photo credit: Facebook/GwenGarciaCebuOfficial