Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 3) — The local government of Pasig City is planning to construct a new city hall as the existing one is no longer structurally sound.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto made the announcement during the 450th Pasig Day on Sunday.
“Ang city hall natin, ang apat na building na bumubuo ng city hall ay structurally unsound,” he told his constituents during the event.
[Translation: Our city hall, the four buildings that make up the city hall are structurally unsound.]
The city government tapped a consultant to look into the issue. The findings showed that 62 columns and 451 girders and beams of the city hall are “structurally inadequate.”
Sotto also said that some parts of the city hall sustained cracks and liquefaction even before he sat as mayor.
The local chief executive said he consulted with more than two dozen engineers and architects, and no one recommended retrofitting the city hall.
Hence, the city government will be building a new one, he added.
Sotto said he is envisioning a city hall that has a playground, evacuation center, senior citizen center, and mega market, among others.
The local government said it will look for a place where city employees will temporarily work once the construction begins.
Sotto said negotiations for the construction of the new building are underway.
