DAVAO City–A few people know that there is a two-storey mansion dubbed as “Malacañang of the South” constructed during the time of former President Arroyo within the six-hectare compound of the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) in Panacan here.
Will incoming President Rodrigo Duterte make this an extension of his office?
Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher Go has confirmed that the building is being prepared for Duterte’s use when he takes over the country’s highest position by June 30.
“It’s for office purposes and receiving guests. There’s just a slight repair and cleanup,” he said.
Standing just a few meters away from the shore, the “Malacañang of the South” was built during the time of erstwhile Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, between 2005 and 2006, and completed around 2007 to serve as Arroyo’s official residence whenever she came to visit Davao.
The building, which was painted white with green roofing and orange perimeter fence, was worth P24 million.
The mansion has about eight to 10 air-conditioned rooms, including a conference room and a jetty for watercrafts.
Built within the Regional Equipment Management Division compound of DPWH-11, the mansion shared a space with two warehouses as depot of the agency’s equipment and storage for the relief packs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for calamities.
It’s just a simple building that boasts nothing spectacular about its exterior and interior but “it looks like a hotel when you enter but surrounded by rooms,” a source said.
Bereft of cottage, it lacks any trappings for relaxation, except that it affords a view of the beautiful Island Garden City of Samal.
The building’s interior appears inspired by Mindanao design, particularly, Moro and Lumad.
The source said there’s nothing grandiose except for a chandelier that graces the building’s living room.
Anyone interested to see it can get a glimpse from the outside through that open space between the office of the DPWH’s Regional Equipment Management Division and a huge warehouse.
The mansion’s location is flanked between the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) to its right and a slum area to its left. (antonio colina IV / mindanews)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
