Oroquieta Town Center 40 % Moving

By PJTremedal BNDMisOC-CIB/OCM

Canubay, Oroquieta City – The 180-M Town center is now on its 40% accomplished.

Constructed under the economic enterprise project of the city government that started last March 2010 of the former City Mayor now congressman of the 1^st District, Misamis Occidental Atty. Jorge Taghap Almonte, said town center is under construction of manila’s finest construction group, Hilmarc’s Construction Group, and funded through a loan agreement with the Philippine National Bank.

In its monthly(Hilmarc’s Construction Group)) report, as of July 25 this year, 40 % of the center main components had been accomplished, the South Arcade-Roofing Panels were installed already, Terminal-Structural Steel Works is completed, Mall-Roof beams & Floor slab on progress, North Arcade-Structural Works on going, Civic Center-concreting of columns, Site Development-Earth filling Works, Drainage system is on progress, Electrical Works-Roughing Ins and Stub outs and Sanitary Works-Waterline and Sewer line at pace with Civil Works.

Moreover, the construction Company (HCC) has enough skilled manpower, Technical staff/Engineers and needed Equipments to accomplish its target date of 10 months construction and be operational on January or February 2011.

The town center is under the City Economic Enterprise and Development Office as its proponent and with the management of the City Engineers Office. With the approved loan of 180-M, The town center is not only constructed for infrastructure proponent of the city but to create jobs for the locals unemployed.

As an economic enterprise, the Town Center is targeted and be operational to cater local and out-of town business enterprises, in fact it is reported that a big business entrepreneur recently visit the local officials to share it plans to establish a branch right in the heart of the said town center.

In an interview with the new administration, City Mayor Jason Almonte hopes that with his created task force in managing the town center, rentals and taxation accumulation can help the financial needs of the city government.

Said town center is planned for the benefits of the local populace and to build the city’s reputation as the new economic tiger of Northern Mindanao Region.

“I hope that this will be the start of a long-time dream of our people, the Oroquietanons, that with the establishing of the town center, an economic build-up will be realized for Oroquieta City and can help solve our problem in unemployment and livelihood programs to the needy” Mayor Almonte said.

The Town Center has its main components not only to serve Oroquieta but to engage in income generating scheme for the city government. The town Center has an Integrated Bus Terminal, a commercial center, a community swimming pool and entertainment center to serve as a tourism destination, and a civic center for its public use.

Meanwhile, dubbed as the City of Good Life, the project construction group adopted it basic vision to have a good and safe place not only to live but to work. In the company’s miscellaneous report it also adhere to the vision and mission of the City of Good Life thus, Safety is one of HCC’s primary concerns. Daily Exercise and General Toolbox meeting is being conducted for workers’ physical fitness program and Safety Awareness.

“Every day, workers are well informed regarding the Basic Safety in construction such as wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Housekeeping, and ways how to control several cause of incidents or accidents. It is always said that Safety is everybody’s job/concern. A prayer before work can’t be disregarded. This is to ask guidance and strength from the Almighty God, to make the workers and staff safe at all times. Also, every 1^st Friday of the month a mass is being conducted inside the jobsite.” the report said.