THE proposal to relocate the Cebu City Hall to the South Road Properties (SRP) is gaining momentum as city officials push for a more spacious and centralized government complex.

With a proposed budget of P500 million, the plan aims to address space constraints and bring scattered government offices under one roof.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, a key proponent of the move, said he would seek funding for the project if reelected.

During a visit to the Cebu City Jail on Thursday, February 13, Garcia told MyTV Cebu that the current City Hall, situated near Magellan’s Cross, falls within the city’s heritage district.

His long-term vision is to transform the historic site into a museum while shifting government operations to a modern facility at SRP.

The proposed complex would house all city offices, including those currently operating from the Metropolitan Cebu Water District building and the Association of Barangay Councils building.

City Planning and Development Office head Joseph Michael Espina identified a 5,000-square-meter area at the tip of Pond A in SRP as the preferred site for the new City Hall.

Plans include a 15-story executive building, an eight-story legislative building, and a separate structure for the Department of General Services.

The legislative building would face the Mactan Channel and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, ensuring accessibility and visibility.

City officials believe SRP offers a structured environment for urban development, with planners considering a grid-type street system similar to Manhattan’s layout.

The location is also expected to be part of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit route, making it easier for residents to access government services.

The city is also reviewing additional transport options for public utility vehicles.

Espina presented the conceptual design to the City Council, emphasizing that SRP is the most suitable site.

Alternative locations, such as an area near the Talisay boundary, were ruled out due to environmental concerns, including proximity to the Inayawan landfill and exposure to rising sea levels and storm surges.

The legislative building of the current City Hall, completed in 1962, has been the seat of governance for over six decades.

Under the relocation plan, the site would be repurposed into a museum and cultural center to preserve its historical significance while adapting to the city's modernization efforts.

Officials see the move as part of Cebu’s broader urban planning strategy, expanding government infrastructure while protecting heritage sites.

The project remains in its early stages, with budget allocation as the next hurdle.

However, with long-term urban growth in mind, city leaders remain committed to finding the necessary funding and ensuring a smooth transition toward a new government hub.(MyTVCebu)

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• #Cebu City Hall
• #South Road Properties
• #Centralized Government Complex
• #Raymond Alvin Garcia