LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – House Committee on Appropriations chairman Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) -Bicol Director Virgilio Eduarte, and the local government of Santo Domingo, Albay led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new P210-million municipal and legislative building on Tuesday afternoon, October 24.
AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (center), Mayor Jun Aguas (third from right), Ako Bicol party-list Executive Director Alfredo Garbin (second from right), DPWH-Bicol Director Virgilio Eduarte (right), Department of Tourism-Bicol Director Herbie Aguas (fourth from left), Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon (second from left), and other officials pose after the groundbreaking ceremony of the new municipal building in Santo Domingo, Albay on Tuesday, October 24. (Photo via Nino Luces)
Construction of the building will officially start by the end of November or early December, Mayor Joseling "Jun" Aguas said.
The old municipal building was razed by fire almost a year ago on November 2022, prompting the municipal government to transfer business office to the legislative building.
Co said that the realization of the project is a collaborative effort of the local government unit (LGU), DPWH, Ako Bicol, and other concerned agencies.
Eduarte said that an initial P75 million has been released while P135 million is still needed to complete the construction.
"Ulitin ko uli, Ako Bicol, para madali, additional P135 million po sir to complete the construction (An additional P135 million is needed to complete construction)," Eduarte said.
Aguas lauded the efforts of Co and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda to realize the project.
"Indeed a dream come true. It is a momentous event, matagal na po itong hinihintay ng bayan ng Santo Domingo (the town of Santo Domingo is eagerly awaiting) and we are really looking forward sa (to the) start ng (of) construction. Medyo na-delay lang ng konti kasi (There will be a little delay because) we are waiting for the final plan ng munisipyo (of the municipality)," Aguas said.
He said that the new municipal and legislative building will rise at the back of the old municipal building which will be used as museum of the town.
"This won't be possible without the help of Ako Bicol, Congressman Zaldy Co, Congressman Jil (Bongalon), and of course (former) Congressman Pido Garbin dahil sila po nag-facilitate ng release (Because they facilitated the release). Na-release na po sa atin ang first tranche (The first tranche has been released) which is P75 million. Itong new office natin na which is more on modern na ang style dito na po lahat ng services mangyayari (This new office will be modern and all services will be delivered here). ‘Yung (The) old building, yung (a) part of it I will convert to a museum. We will gonna maintain the historical value but working office pa din," Aguas said.