Guv plans to make Capitol property gov’t center
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he is planning to convert the entire provincial government property currently occupied by various government offices, including the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, into a government center.
Defensor said he has instructed Provincial Administrator Raul Banias to meet with the chiefs of other government offices occupying the provincial government property regarding his proposal.
Government buildings occupying the provincial government property include the Metro Iloilo Water District, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Land Registration Authority, Iloilo Hall of Justice, Philippine National Red Cross, Radyo ng Bayan, the old Iloilo Rehabilitation Center, Department of Tourism, Museo Iloilo and the old and new Provincial Capitol.
Defensor said he wants to make the entire area a government center to make it attractive and serve as a tourist attraction.
The governor said he proposes to have the entire area landscaped and refurbished. He also suggested the possibility of having all the buildings and structures uniformly painted.
Defensor had earlier ordered the clearing of vendors’ stalls in the Capitol’s vicinity.
His other proposals include the restoration of the old Provincial Capitol to its original appearance and the conversion of the old IRC into a regional museum.
The entire property occupied by the Capitol and other government buildings was donated to the provincial government by the Ybiernas family in the 19th century.
The other government offices occupying the area were granted a usufruct by the provincial government.*
