Gov. Czarina Umali who led the ceremonial handover of the building second level said the modern facilities equipped with elevators that accommodate offices of almost all national agencies now stationed at the old Capitol compound in Cabanatuan City “is a major breakthrough in our drive to transform our capital city into Nueva Ecija’s government center and premier growth hub.”
A fifth class city about 17 kilometers east of Cabanatuan City, this city was created to be the province’s capital city in 1965. Based on the 2010 census, this city has a population of 37,219.
Among the agencies that will occupy the government building are National Bureau of Investigation), Department of Education, Commission on Elections, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Civil service Commission.
The Department of foreign Affairs is also expected to put up an office here.
Umali said the project demonstrates how development partners can work effectively with this government’s infrastructure investment that will step up growth and opportunities in the countryside as it transformed the “once barren government land” into an “integral institutional and civic complex.”
The three-hectare lot that also hosts a 15,000-slot call center hub and a 120-room business hotel was donated by the city government to the provincial government.
“We are providing the stimulus for more robust local economy, one that is marked by increased investment and improved job opportunities to all hand-in-hand with the enrichment of our agriculture industry,” said Umali, wife of former Gov. Aurelio Umali who conceptualized the project.
Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas of this city said they have prepared for the problems, including possible traffic congestion that the influx of people that will populate the hub may bring.
“So marami pa tayong mae-encounter na problema pero believe po ako sa aking mga kasamahan sa pamahalaang lungsod ng Palayan dahil po tinutulungan po nila ako to make sure that everything is handled properly,” he said.
The government center is expected to be filled up by January but the entire hub is seen to be fully operational within the first quarter of 2017, according to Patrick Nicholas David, developer.
The business hub was planned to have a powerful internet connectivity, and 24- hour stable power supply with 120 percent power back-up.
A one-stop shop for all important government services as pushed by President Duterte, a source privy to the development said, the project will be followed by the construction of a central transport hub that will link this city to all major cities and towns of Nueva Ecija.
David said Allo MTD, a Malaysian subsidiary, designs government centers in its bid to help government address huge problems, including traffic and jobs.
“Tulong para ma-decongest ang Metro Manila, magbigay ng maraming trabaho sa mga probinsiya tulad ng Palayan City instead na nasa sentro lang ng mga siyudad tulad ng Manila, Cebu and Davao,” he said.
