South Road Properties signage to cost P30M
By Doris C. Bongcac
Cebu Daily News
Last updated 02:33pm (Mla time) 08/14/2007
Cebu City, Philippines - The Cebu City government would have to spend at least P30 million for a tower and a signage that would welcome people to the South Road Properties (SRP).
The signage would give the SRP an "identity," which Mayor Tomas Osmeña said would be crucial in marketing the 300-hectare reclamation project.
Osmeña said at least P8.3 million would be needed for the installation of a signage that would be patterned after the famous "Hollywood" signage.
And just like in Hollywood, the signage would also be placed atop a hill that would be landscaped on an elevated portion of the SRP near the viaduct of the South Coastal Road.
Another P20 million would be spent for the construction of a tower that would be designed like a "chess board" and constructed to the left of the SRP signage.
Osmeña said the two structures would be used in the city's design of the SRP logo.
"We are trying to create a branding, a symbol of the SRP," said Osmeña, who added that "branding the SRP is part of the business of promoting the SRP."
On August 8, the City Council passed a resolution by Councilor Nestor Archival authorizing Mayor Osmeña to engage in a contract with Dakay and Development Corporation for the construction of the SRP signage worth P5.65 million.
But a second resolution by Archival, which authorizes the P2.68 million landscaping of the welcome hill by Win Construction, was deferred for review.
"One of the beautification projects to be carried out by the City to make the South Road Properties attractive to investors and tourists alike is the proposed construction of a signage," according to Archival's approved resolution.
The signage, which would be about three-story high would be made out of welded pipes, which Osmeña said may later be clad in aluminum.
"The signage is designed to withstand even a signal number 4 or signal number 5 typhoon," the mayor said.
He said the funds for the landscaping of the welcome hill, which the city already appropriated for, is the "cheaper" part of the city's expense.
The construction of the tower, which is an even bigger expense, would have to wait until the city makes its first sale of the SRP.
Osmeña said at least 30 hectares of the SRP would be bidded out to interested buyers by the end of the year.
Part of its proceeds would be spent for the tower construction worth P20 million.
Aside from its aesthetic features, the tower would also serve as a tank to store whatever amount of water is extracted from the welcome hill.
Osmeña said the tower would also be equipped with a filtration tank and pipes that would deliver at least 20 cubic meters of water to the Metro Cebu Water District daily.
Like Pond A, the welcome hill would also be a good source of water, which can be desalinated to make it potable.