CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A brainchild of Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, the City Civic Center in Barangay San Isidro here is set to be expanded this year with two new parks and seven new buildings.
On April 6, Santiago, together with city department heads, inspected the on-going construction of the buildings and parks which will augment the existing eight buildings and a park.
Taking precedence in the new construction projects are the new building of the City College of San Fernando and a new center for Early Childhood Care and Development, pursuant to Santiago’s goal of making the site as “center for education and development” for the children and youth.
Other building up for construction are those for the City Agriculture and Veterinary Office, City General Services Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and City Engineer’s Office, along with buildings for warehouse storage and motorpool office.
“Bukod sa edukasyon na unang prayoridad ni Mayor EdSa, ito ang mga opisina na binigyan natin ng mga bagong gusali dahil ang trabaho nila ay naka-sentro sa ‘sustainable development’ na layunin nating maipatupad sa siyudad. Nandiyan ang food security, infrastructure development, environmental protection, at management of resources,” explained city engineer Anele David.
Varying in sizes, the buildings will be completed on different dates—May to June for the smaller ones, and the last quarter for the bigger buildings.
The center’s existing park will also be extended to go along with a linear park. The two new parks have a combined size of more than 5,000 square meters and can host walking, jogging, and biking activities.
“Noong binuo natin ang civic center, kasama sa tema ang ‘live, play, work, retire, and have fun.’ Heto na at naaabot na natin ang mga temang ito na siyang bubuo sa pangarap nating maging sustainable at livable city,” Santiago explained.
The City Civic Center was launched in 2019 to spur massive economic activity in different parts of San Fernando and decongest main areas and thoroughfares.
“Ang layunin natin ay ikalat ang mga serbisyo sa iba’t ibang parte ng siyudad upang maayos natin ang trapiko, density, congestion. At ang mga gusaling ito ay pagmamay-ari ng bawat Fernandino at hindi ng isang tao o opisyal lang,” the mayor said.
