The city government of Puerto Princesa led by City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron and other city officials formally opened its first mini-city hall in Barangay Macarascas on Thursday, in a bid to bring the local government services closer to the city’s northern barangays’ residents and fast-track the implementation of infrastructure projects in the area.
The city government considered this feat as a dream come true that will spur growth and bring opportunities to the local residents, and make government services more accessible to local folks.
“Ang Punong Lungsod Lucilo R. Bayron ang nanguna para sa pagpapasinaya at pagbubukas ng Macarascas Mini City Hall. Ito ay isang pangarap na ngayon ay tuluyan ng natupad para sa mga mamamayan sa Norteng Bahagi ng ating lungsod. Bringing the government nearer to the people,” the city government said in a statement.
Mayor Bayron appointed former city councilor Modesto “Jonjie” Rodriguez II to manage the operations of the mini city hall.
The city government targeted to open other mini city halls located in Barangay Napsan in the west, Luzviminda in the south and San Rafael in the north.
The purpose is to decentralize local government services in order to fast track transactions and the delivery of basic social services to the people.
Mayor Bayron said that Equipment Acquisition Program of 2019 enable the city to acquire heavy equipment such as pay loader, grader, trucks and other equipment.
“These equipment will compliment and fast track our mini city halls. Tayo ay magpapadala ng maraming equipment para ma-apura ang pag-trabaho ng ating mga mini city halls,” he said.
Bayron further said that Napsan will also have its mini city hall soon, since the construction work is ongoing for the said project.
Barangay Macarascas is 44.8 kilometers or one-hour drive from the city proper. The barangay lies at the mouth of the Bahile River. This part of the river and surrounding coastline of Ulugan Bay is widely vegetated with primary, secondary and reforested mangroves.