Provincial Government to Adopt ‘Adaptive Reuse’ Method for Decades-Old Capitol Building
With the proposed 20-storey modern edifice to be built inside the Capitol Compound, which will serve as the new home of the Cebu Provincial Government, questions may be swirling around about the fate of the old Capitol building.
Joselito “Boboi” Costas, head of the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), said the old edifice would be reconfigured in a way that would put it to productive use through the conservation strategy of adaptive reuse.
“Conserving a building does not need to be done purely on the grounds of mere heritage preservation…conservation is also a means of safeguarding a cultural heritage with the view to suitably adapting the society’s needs,” said Costas, citing the Venice Charter on adaptive reuse, which is the oldest document written on the subject in 1964 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an old building or site for a purpose other than which it was built or designed for. Typically, it is closely related to historical preservation and conservation on places with rich history.
On Wednesday, May 16, the Provincial Government conducted a public consultation on the proposed P1.5 billion-Resource Center with the PTO chief as among the resource speakers.
Gov. Hilario P. Davide III, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale were present during the stakeholders’ consultation, as well as some members of the Provincial Board (PB), including PB Members Christopher Baricuatro, Jerome Librando and Yolanda Daan.
“The entire efforts can be self-sustaining if the buildings are restored and put into productive use,” Costas said.
Built from 1937 to 1938 during the administrations of Gov. Sotero Cabahug and Gov. Buenaventura Rodriguez, the Capitol building, now 80 years old, was declared a National Historical Landmark in 2008 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
Aside from the benefit of turning the old structure into an income-generating asset, using the building will ensure its maintenance, therefore, preserving it, Costas pointed out.
The PTO chief also discussed the environmental, social and economic benefits of adaptive reuse.
“Adaptive reuse significantly reduces the use of energy that usually comes with demolishing the structure and building a new one to replace it,” he said.
As for social sustainability, Costas said that preserving the building allows Cebuanos to continue appreciating its historical significance, as well as “keeping our link to our glorious past.”
Costas also said the adaptive reuse of the old Capitol would translate into savings for the Provincial Government, aside from spurring economic activities brought about by its new purpose.
Among the utilities eyed for the old Capitol, include function rooms, offices, restaurants, art galleries, cafés and showrooms that will showcase the best products and places of Cebu.
In Cebu City, for example, some old structures were refurbished so they could be utilized for new ventures other than their original purpose.
These included the old provincial jail, which was converted into Museo sa Sugbo; the Philippine Library and Museum on Osmeña Blvd., which has function rooms; and the Fort San Pedro, which is now a satellite museum of the National Museum.
www.cebu.gov.ph
