New Pilar Municipal Complex: Our ‘’One Stop Shop’’ public service

By Cyryl Montales

Public Information Office

 

Employees from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pilar are excited to start their services in the freshly built Municipal Hall in Calongay, Pilar, Sorsogon.

 

PILAR, SORSOGON—According to a famous novelist Mehmet Murat Ildan,’’Man can work anywhere and under any condition, but working in a very beautiful place under very beautiful conditions will surely create superior things.’’

 

That was why the public service providers from the LGU-Pilar were thrilled when they organized and brought all of their equipment’s from their old offices. The transfer plan of the offices had started on Jan. 29 onwards. As of Feb. 7, 2022, 90% of them completely moves at Municipal Complex on Callongay, Pilar, Sorsogon.

 

Engr. Arthur John Garchitorena, OIC Municipal Administrator and Municipal Engineer imparted that he felt mixed emotions toward the relocation of offices.

 

’’Excited tayo na lilipat kasi [we are excited to transfer because] napakatagal na tayong nanatili doon sa old LGU, na experience natin na kapag nagdadagdag ng mandated na office ang national government, wala na tayong mapaglagyan [when the national government mandated to add an office, we don’t have a place for it]. So, the LGU has come to the idea of building a new office which would cater or accommodate hindi lang yung mga [not only the] LGU offices kundi pati yung mga[but also] national government services.’’ Garchitorena said.

 

He also compared his experience on their transfer as if they moved on a new house,’’I said mix emotions kanina kasi katulad ng ordinaryong paglilipat bahay, we experience inconveniences. Kaya nga siniguro natin na hindi sabay-sabay yung pag lipat. Para at least yung public service, tuloy-tuloy rin.’’ [I said mix emotions a while ago because similar to ordinary moving in a house, we experience inconveniencies. That is why we guaranteed that the offices do not transfer at the same time. To ensure that the public service will continue.]

 

Struggle was real, as they lifted their chairs, tables, cabinets, computers, and documents from here to there. Moreover, the back-and-forth transmission of all the said equipment while climbing the stairs from first to second or third floor and back, leave them breathless. Thus, the combination of cream, and grey interior of the offices with the natural lighting from the windows would surely counter one’s tiredness.

 

While Mary Jane Villa, office clerk under the Rural Health Unit (RHU) Nutrition Office shared the same sentiment,’’Para sako ta ako harayo digdi, mapagal kasi syempre ma-adjust pa…saru pa wara pa digding makakaunan sa ngunian.’’ [For me, it is hard because my house is far from here…additionally there are no eateries yet.]

 

Some clients were seated on the waiting area to process their document. Thus, some were still seeking for the offices which was assisted enthusiastically by the employees. They are greeting and pointing the directions to take, in order for their concerns to be addressed.

 

A client from the Treasurer’s Office, Isabel Ardales imparted,‘’First time ko pa lang po digdi, okay man po so far si Sir na pig hapotan ko… accommodating man po sinda.’’ [This is my first time here, so far, the employees were accommodating.]

 

While, Maricel Raquion client of the same office also imparted her first experience,’’Syempre primero pa sana, mapagal maghanap. Kaya nagduman ako ta dai ko pa aram na nalipat na palan digdi, naninibago pa lang. Syempre pag siguro aloy na, pag nasanay na pasil na man.’’[Of course, it is my first time, it is hard to search (the offices). I went to the old LGU I did not know that the offices are transferred. Maybe in the long run, when we get used to it, then, it will be easy.]

 

‘’Mas marhay man giraray digdi ta mahiwas na, compare sa dati.’’ [This (Municipal Complex) is better because it is more spacious than the old (LGU-Building)]Raquion added.

 

Inconveniences were faced by the clients and employees. Therefore, new adjustments and arrangements were made. Hence, the advantages were highlighted by Engr. Garchitorena.

 

‘’Kung ang tao naghahanap ng serbisyo ng gobyerno isa lang yung pupuntahan niya, nandito na lahat.’’ [If the people are seeking for the government services, they will proceed in one place, because all of them are here.] Engr. Garchitorena said.

‘’We have a building na parang [as if] one stop shop na sa mga tawo [for the people], although baku pa siya gabos tapos pero [they are not yet completed but] we are moving forward to a complex which will accommodate everything, including official business and leisures.’’ Engr. Garchitorena added.

 

In comparison to the old LGU-Building the Municipal Complex had a spacious parking lot for the private and public vehicles. According to Engr. Garchitorena the complex through which the Municipal Complex was built, probably in the next two years. There will be a fountain wherein after office hours, people can entertain themselves. Rural Health Unit, Legislative Building, LIGA Hall, Gymnasium, Evacuation Center, PNP Station, National Government Office Spaces, and a Library will also be in the complex.

 

Additionally, he also added that another edge of the complex’s features is the wires and cables of internet and electrical connections are in an underground system. It was elevated six meters from the road that made it flood and typhoon resistant.

 

Those people who stepped their foot in the new Municipal Complex had their own stories to tell, how about you? Can you share yours?

 

Photo source: PIO