The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu will soon have its own new building to be located on the adjacent lot of Cebu International Port Complex (CIPC) where the present building stands.
This is after BOC Cebu acting district collector Atty. Charlito Martin Mendoza and Cebu Port Authority (CPA) general manager signed the contract of usufruct for the use of the lot inside CIPC where the envisioned building dubbed New Aduana de Cebu will rise.
Under the usufruct agreement, CPA grants BOC the free use of a lot measuring 2,274.8 square meters as temporary office of the BOC for a period of 25 years.
After construction and occupancy of the new office building, BOC will demolish the old CPA building including the existing structure being utilized as barracks and clear the area to be used as parking space for BOC, CPA, and port clients.
The usufruct agreement is renewable for another 25 years upon mutual agreement of the parties, CPA said in a statement.
BOC Port of Cebu last January announced the plan for a new building that will provide a more conducive working environment for the employees and will finally give BOC Port of Cebu a permanent home.
Earlier this year, BOC Cebu met with architect Richelle Reyes Baria of Richelle Rhea Reyes Architectural Design for the final refinement of the building’s architectural design and the preparation of the bidding requirements.
BOC said an amount of P350 million has already been earmarked for the construction of the building and is now with the Philippine International Trading Corporation.
Upon completion of the bidding requirements, the construction of the New Aduana de Cebu Building is expected to commence within the year.
Earlier, Reyes said the new building is a new interpretation and design of the old building, lifting inspiration from Malacañang sa Sugbo, the official residence in the Visayas of the Philippine President.
READ: BOC Cebu to get new office building
The building will also showcase a garden in the middle, envisioned as a “breathing space” for both employees and stakeholders.
Reyes said BOC Cebu officials and employees were “very much involved in the planning and design process” and all spatial and building requirements were thoroughly laid out.
Aside from BOC Cebu, BOC Port of Legazpi is also building its own office this year, while BOC Port of Manila is constructing a temporary office after its building was razed by fire in February 2019.
