EVERY place in the country, whether it be city or municipality, has the Poblacion as the center of most activities, trade and commerce.
In Mabalacat City, it has Barangay Poblacion which ls land-locked by Barangay Mangalit to the east, Barangay San Francisco to the south, Barangays Mamatitang and San Joaquin to the north and at its western border, by the Clark Freeport Zone and the Clark International Airport.
It occupies a small land area with a population of mere 2,759, per CPDO figures. It is headed by Barangay Chairman Elmer “Totong” S. Mendiola and backed up by the Barangay Council composed of Lenny V. Cunanan, Joseph C. Cunanan, Romeo M. Salunga, Mona Lisa A. Manuel, Raymund A. Manuel, Bienvenido P. Bagona and Michael P. Narvadez.
Its SK slate is composed of Chair Raquel J. dela Cruz, Members Jericho Pasamonte, Aaron Glenn Polines, Romeo S. Dupale, Jr., Earl Daryl N. Alpe, Alvin C. Bagona, Aris de Guzman and Sunny W. Demoto.
The SK treasurer is Mark Francis R. Agnote while Amabelle L. Abalos is the SK Secretary.
Barangay Poblacion is a space for well-known fast-food chains: McDonalds, Jolibee, Chowking and Mang Inasal and a well-patronized fine dining outlet, Lola Nhors, drug stores Mercury Drug, South Star and Policarpio Drug Store, remittance centers M. Lhuiller and Palawan Express padala, shopping centers Super 99, Wellgo and the old Ong Sin Siu. Also found herein are the Mabalacat Elementary School which observes its Homecoming and Ball on February 4-5, Mabalacat City Public Market and post office.
There are two private high schools in the area: the St. Anthony College of Technology and the Children of Fatima School, Inc. On the northern portion are found the Lady of Grace Parish Church and the refurbished old municipal building.
***
Chairman Totong, the spouse of the City Treasurer Marlene Molina Mendiola, leads in the implementation of Tesda-sponsored training courses and is in active communication with the city LGU’s offices, including the Public Employment Service Office or PESO and in the registration of new voters, in coordination with the local branch of the Comelec.
Social services for seniors and persons with disabilities are also adequately dispensed by the Poblacion barangay chairman and the barangay council.