THE Regional Government Center (RGC) is expected to lessen traffic congestions in downtown area as main government offices will be relocated within the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Bago Oshiro, Mintal.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Davao Regional Director Anthony Sales, who heads the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (Arena) 11, said that the RGC, a one-stop concept center that will situate all government agencies in one area, will be convenient for the clients.
“Marami advantage pag nagrelocate na lahat ng agencies kasi lahat ng client doon na sa Mintal ang transaction. Made-decongest na ang city proper kasi andito na lahat (There are a lot of advantages in putting up a one-stop concept center because clients will just flock in Mintal. This will decongest the city proper because all agencies will be here),” Sales told SunStar Davao contrary to some comments that it would cause inconvenience for some considering Mintal is far from downtown proper.
He said that offices who will soon be transferring to RGC have started informing their clients on their possible transfer.
Although he said some agencies will still have their satellite offices in downtown areas, particularly for DOST whose laboratory offices will still be situated beside the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
Sales also said the RGC will complement the Republic Act No. 11032, known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” which aims to fast-track government transactions, as mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte.
RGC will have a 94.7-hectare lot where some 80 regional agencies will be located.
He said agencies who will occupy the center are already identified and are given within three years to relocate, or else, the space will be passed to other agencies.
Sales said the Department of Agriculture (DA) already started constructing its building while others are still awaiting for funds from the 2020 budget.
Meanwhile, he said they are still awaiting the President’s endorsement through an executive order, which will fast-track the construction of some portions of the lot, which are still occupied by informal settlers.
“The MOA (memorandum of agreement) is done. The NHA (National Housing Authority) can now check how many informal settlers will be affected so that we could start with the negotiations. They need to plan it out for the implementation of housing projects for the employees who will be working near the RGC and to affected families,” Sales said.