CANDABA -- Former Mayor Jerry Pelayo on Thursday, April 19, has expressed apprehension over the proposed construction of a new municipal hall in a new site in Sitio Salapungan, Barangay Pasig.
Pelayo, who served as mayor here from 2004 to 2013, said that a new municipal hall “seems to be unnecessary.”
The former mayor said that there are already four government centers in town — one in Tagalog Region, one in Kapampangan Region, one in Poblacion area and the Mayor’s Action Center located in Barangay Pasig.
Instead of constructing a new one, Pelayo suggested that the local government should focus on the maintenance and utilization of the said government centers which were constructed in the same purpose of serving the people.
“Para sa akin, hindi necessity at dapat hindi priority muna ang pagtatayo ng bagong munisipyo. Apat ang munisipyo at extension halls namin, kailangan lang ang maintenance ay full utilization nito. Magaganda at kumpleto naman ang mga facility, kailangan lang talaga repair at maintainance,” he said.
Pelayo suggested that incumbent Mayor Danilo Baylon and the department heads here must take time in visiting all extension halls at least once a week to provide the same services offered in the main town hall.
The move will also prevent a big number of constituents crowding the Poblacion area which is one of the concerns cited in the proposal.
“Nandiyan na ang building. Dapat ang gawin nila, ang mayor at mga department heads kahit once a week lang pumunta sila doon, magtrabaho sila morning is para iyong mga tao hindi na pupunta sa Poblacion. Dapat ang munisipyo ay inilalapit mo sa tao, dahil para sa tao. Bakit mo naman ilalayo?,” he stressed.
Pelayo said the current administration should divert the funds to other projects including the rehabilitation of Barangca Bridge and other farm to market roads.
The ex-mayor, meanwhile, clarified that his statement is a mere suggestion only and is not intended to contradict the plans or offend the incumbent local officials.
“Ito lang ay suggestion ko, bilang dating mayor at concerned citizen ng Candaba. Siyempre ang desisyon ay nasa kasalukuyang mayor at sa kagusto ng karamihan ng Candabeño,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Baylon said that the proposal to relocate the current town hall is already filed before the Municipal Council and is aimed at addressing the congestion problems in the current town hall.
He disclosed that the infrastructure will be constructed in a 10.5 hectare lot owned by the local government here.
The new town hall will have a budget allocation of P30-million for the structure alone.
Additional funds will be earmarked for the finishing and purchase of equipments that should be approved in the council.