Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced on Monday, July 8, that they have started transferring equipment and office furniture to the temporary City Hall at Bridgetowne in Amang Rodriguez, Barangay Rosario, as part of the redevelopment plan of the Pasig City Hall.

The relocation to the temporary city hall is due to the reconstruction of Pasig City Hall. Before he was elected as mayor of Pasig in 2019, Sotto noted the structural issues affecting the buildings and facilities of the City Hall.

He said that multiple cracks and fissures have been seen and reported on its walls, floors, and other areas, along with complaints of leakages, uneven ground, and other similar issues.

Sotto said that once everyone has moved to the temporary city hall, they will have peace of mind over the possible dangers brought about by the structural concerns in their current building.

“At least, kapag nakalipat po tayo doon, magkakaroon na tayo ng peace of mind, lalo na yung Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) natin na lagi pong pinapaalala sa atin ang mga panganib (At least when we temporarily move there, we will have peace of mind, especially our DRRMO that always reminds us of the dangers that could happen because of structural concerns in our building),” the mayor said.

Sotto thanked the lessor of the temporary city hall for allowing the Pasig City Hall to gradually move their equipment even though the lease contract has not formally started yet.

Due to the transfer of equipment, the mayor said that some operations of offices and departments of the city hall will be affected, such as the business renewal every January which is being handled by the Business Permit and Licensing Department (BPLD).

Sotto said the city is planning to have a major redevelopment of the city hall and make it "future-proofed" which will be beneficial for Pasigueños for at least 50 years, or ideally even 100 years.

“Sabi nga natin kung gagawa na lang din tayo ng proyekto na medyo malaki gaya ng pag-aayos ng city hall ay gandahan na natin. Gawin na natin siyang future-proofed that will be good for [more than] 50 years. Dapat at least 50 years, kung kaya 100 years yung gagawin natin kasama hindi lang yung building kundi pati yung teknolohiya, yung disaster risk reduction features natin (We said that if we do a major redevelopment of Pasig City Hall, we must do it well. Let's make it future-proofed, that will be good for more than 50 years. It should be at least 50 years or, if possible, even 100 years, including not only the building but also the technology, our disaster risk reduction features, among others),” he said.

Transparency

Sotto said that a total of P9.6 billion was the approved budget for the contract (ABC) for the redevelopment of Pasig City Hall, and it is not solely for the construction of the building, but everything needed for the project is included in the budget.

He also mentioned that the detailed estimate will be shown to the public, adding that he will be preparing a briefer about the project that can be watched or read by everyone.

The mayor explained that the redevelopment project is under a design and build contract. He clarified that after the issuance of the Notice of Award and before signing the contract to formalize the undertaking, the contractor with the most qualified bid must submit all details and detailed estimates for the city hall redevelopment project.

Sotto said that the necessary details to be included are not just for the buildings but also for furniture, computers, and laptops, among others.

Read more: https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/1/pasig-s-temporary-city-hall-nears-completion-mayor-vico