Malacañang sa Sugbo: President’s Residence in Cebu

The Malacañang sa Sugbo (also known as Malacañan sa Sugbo, as written in the façade, and  Malacañang of the South) is considered as the official residence of the President of the Philippines when he visits Cebu and the nearby areas in the Visayas region. It was named after Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine President, in the country’s capital city, Manila.

The Malacañang sa Sugbo was originally built in 1910 where the Bureau of Customs Cebu Office was housed. In 2004, it was restored by, then, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo costing P700,000.

There were reports that the current President of the Philippines, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, was not interested in the Malacañang sa Sugbo as his official residence in the province of Cebu because this was restored by his predecessor which he doesn’t like so much.

The Cebu City government and the Bureau of Customs are at odds over what they want to do with Malacañang sa Sugbo. The Bureau of Customs is interested to reclaim the area but the Mayor wants the Malacañang of the South to become another museum in the city, with memorabilia of the past administrations.

Malacanang sa Sugbo

Back of Malacañang sa Sugbo

The Malacañang sa Sugbo is located meters away from where the Galleon Andalucia docked in Cebu and Cebu City Pier 1. It is fronting Plaza Independecia and about a hundred meters away from the Cebu City Post Office and Fort San Pedro.

Viewing inside the Malacañang sa Sugbo is by appointment. But if you want to simply see the façade and take pictures of the edifice, just go to the south side of Plaza Independencia and you’ll see it through the steel bars.

About the author

Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.