OFFICIALS of Mabalacat City in Pampanga visited the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Monday, May 7, as part of their benchmarking and site study.

Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo Garbo had written Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia that they are also planning to build their own government center at the heart of their city.

Garbo, who was not able to accompany the group, said they had wanted Leonardia to tell them first-hand how his administration built the edifice.

Leonardia, in his orientation to the Mabalacat city officials, said the BCGC will mark its 10th year on August 8, 2018, and has become an icon of Bacolod.

It was constructed in 2008, during Leonardia’s third term as mayor.

Considered as his “baby,” Leonardia said the BCGC has also become the most photographed city hall in the country.

Joining Leonardia in giving orientation to Mabalacat officials were Councilor Em Ang, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee of Tourism, former City Tourism Officer Imogene Kana-an, and City Assessor Maphilindo Polvora.

The Mabalacat city officials were headed by Vice Mayor Christian Halili with Councilors Krizzanel Garbo, daughter of the mayor, Ruvie Lane Margarito, Eduardo Sotto, Amauri Tiglao, Danilo Bayani, Roland Peña, and department heads.

Halili lauded the BCGC saying, “Kung titingnan mo ang structure, napakaganda ng kanilang session hall, ang mga offices ng mga councilors, meron silang individual offices. Iyong sa harapan may fountain very relaxing sa mga empleyado dahil very stressful ang trabaho, paglabas mo makikita mo ang view, napakaganda, and seeing the developments in the city of Bacolod we hope we could do the same in our city.”

The Mabalacat city officials also went to other tourist spots in Bacolod, Murcia, Talisay, and Silay. (PR)