CDC rushes construction of DOTr building

CLARK, Pampanga – Workers are rushing to finish the renovation of a building at the freeport here that will house the main office of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The project, which is funded by the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), costs P59 million, a billboard beside the building reads.

The building will house the offices of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and an initial 179 employees from the DOTr office in Mandaluyong.

At least 11 other buildings will be renovated to accommodate 700 other employees, said DOTr engineer Aldrin Gatus.

“We are working 24 hours... to make sure the main building is ready for the transfer of the initial employees on Friday,” Gatus said yesterday.

Tugade announced his decision to relocate the DOTr to Clark last April, citing the need to decongest Metro Manila of government offices.

The transfer of employees will be done in batches. It was not immediately known if those who reside in Metro Manila will be provided housing.

It is also not clear how much the DOTr will pay the CDC to renovate and lease its properties.

In a telephone interview, DOTr Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin said they signed a lease agreement, but referred queries on the details to their legal department.