Mabalacat City Mayor Geld Aquino said the planned new city hall will push through with a new design that is modern, less costly and would be people centric.
“The new city hall will have a new design that is modern and nice. And it will be a people-oriented and a people-friendly place,” Aquino said.
In an interview with Pampanga News Now, Aquino and Vice Mayor Jun Castro disclosed that the new city hall at Barangay Camachille will not just be a government center with optimal use for office functions but will also feature more spaces to receive people to address their various concerns
He said that the new cost of ₱1.2 billion for the structure and another P₱100 million for furniture and furnishings is lower than what was pegged by the previous administration at P1.530 billion.
He said the new budget has been arrived at by “removing extravagant” provisions, adding instead some commercial stalls that will be put for revenue-generating measures.
Aside from the main structure, the new city hall will also have an event center. The city has been known to have elaborate festivals, arts and cultural celebrations.
For his part, Vice Mayor Jun Castro said that the implementation of the project would undergo the procurement process, especially the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod which he presides.
It can be recalled that Castro sought for a thorough review and compliance to rules on procurement when he filed a case with the Ombudsman on September 2023.
Castro clarified that he was not against the new city hall project but wanted only to make sure that its implementation is above board.
He said that he will continue to advocate for transparency and accountability in all of the projects of the city government.
Funding for the continuation of city hall construction is being sought through a loan with Development Bank of the Philippines. Target completion is December 2027.
The post Aquino, Castro: A better, less costly ‘people-oriented’ city hall soon first appeared on Pampanga News Now.