Bataan gov’t mulls P2.4 B capitol revamp

   BALANGA, Bataan – The aging provincial capitol here will soon get a grandiose facelift—complete with hotel rooms and call centers – should a P2.4 billion development proposal to make a “never-before-done government center” pushes through.  

   During a recent public consultation in this City, Governor Albert Garcia took pride that the province will not spend even a single centavo because the project will be built under a public-private partnership scheme with Malaysian company MTD Philippines Inc.

   “Everything will really change. [The capitol and the establishments around] will be progressive because there will be lots of business opportunities,” said Garcia.

   Various sectoral representatives gathered in Lou-is Restaurant, Balanga City for the Joint Public Consultation on the Unsolicited Proposal for the Funding and Development of the Proposed New Bataan Provincial Capitol and Government Center Project. Garcia was present together with Vice Gov. Efren Pascual Jr. and members of the SangguniangPanlalawigan.

   Pascual hailed the project, which may see groundbreaking this April, and a result of numerous consultations with the board members and the provincial government.

   “What we are going to witness is a big indication that what we are taking is the right direction,” said the vice-governor. With the proposal, a five-level “Bunker” Building with basement and mezzanine will serve as the new Governor’s Office and other provincial government offices.

   MTD Philippines President Isaac David said the design highlights the heroic stand of Filipino and American soldiers that made Bataan the focal point of resistance against Japanese invasion forces during World War II.

“There will also be a 142-room business hotel, accentuated by asix-level business processing outsourcing (BPO) building and two four-level BPO buildings,” David said.

   The proposal sets to develop 44,436 square meters of the Capitol compound in Brgy. Poblacion, Balanga in two years, with a year each for Phases I and II. Under Phase I, among the amenities to be built are the six-level, 142-room hotel with 800-sq. m. function room;BPO Building 1;podium for BPO and Business Hotel;and six-level Bunker Building with basement. Phase II is highlighted by twofour-level BPO buildings, and arcade, covered walkways and canopies.

   About 10,000 to 15,000 jobs are seen to be created when the new Bataan Provincial Capitoloperates as Garcia said that call centercompanies will be added in the complex which will serve as work opportunities to Bataan graduates.

   He also disclosed that the services of the national government agencies and local government will be merged. Services will be categorized in each floor; for instance, one floor will contain all relative to business and economic sector, making it convenient for businessmen, and the same for citizens looking for certain services.

   “We are going to have a government one-stop shop that has never been done in the country,” said Garcia.