Camarines Sur to build pili nut-inspired capitol complex

THE PROVINCIAL government of Camarines Sur is building a new capitol complex worth P400 to P500 million, with the design inspired by one of the Bicol Region’s main products, pili nut. “We will push to ground-break this in 2019. (According to the architect), it will be broken down into three phases. So phase one, we will push to ground-break next year, phase two, maybe the year after that,” Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte told yesterday on the sidelines of the project launch. “It’s gonna be P400 to 500 million. It looks very sophisticated and modern, but in fact it’s just basic materials that are abundantly available in CamSur, such as cement, metal and steel. It’s gonna be environmentally friendly and disaster resilient,” he said. The governor added that the budget will initially come from existing local funds, but they will eventually push for national funding as they see the capitol building, to be located at the capital Pili, becoming a national icon. Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr., for his part, said the “iconic” design will “put the province in the map.” “We really thought of building an iconic building that will set apart (CamSur) from the rest,” the solon said. —