Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan led the inauguration of the newly-built Plaza Dela Virgen Community Center in Pandacan on Tuesday, November 19.
Citing the benefits of partnerships forged between the local and national government, the mayor commended the help being extended by the city's congressmen to her administration in order to contemplate on the worthwhile projects which her administration could not currently afford due to the P178 billion debt left behind by the previous city administration.
Also present during the opening ceremony were Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Fifth District Congressman Irwin Tieng, Councilors Charry Ortega and Boy Isip and Bel Isip, as well as barangay chair Jaime Adriano and Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan councils of nearby areas led by Barangay 826 Zone 89 Chairman Nell Dan Blas whose onstituents stand to directly benefit from the community center.
According to the mayor, District 5 is lucky to have a hard-working congressman in the person of Rep. Tieng, whom she said regularly talks to her about his numerous plans for his constituents.
"Lagi nyang iniisip ang pagbibigay ng magandang pustura sa mga barangayan kaya naman hindi ako nagdadalawang-isip basta ikagaganda ng lungsod (He always thinks about giving a good appearance to the barangays, so I don't hesitate as long as it beautifies the city)," she said.
The lady mayor said that the efforts of the city's Congressmen which include Tieng, is one solid proof that nothing is impossible and things can be done despite budgetary constraints for as long as city officials work together for the benefit of Manileños.
"Ang hindi kaya ng lokal na pamahalaan sila (Congressmen) na po ang nagpapagawa kaya mahal na mahal ko ang ating mga Congressman. Ang hiling ko lang po ay ating pangalagaan ang community center na ito dahiil ito ay para din sa inyo (What the local government can't do is what they (Congressmen) are doing, that's why I love our Congressmen so much. My only request is that we take care of this community center because it is also for you)," she said.
It was learned from Tieng that the new community center is the first of its kind in that it even has a service elevator.
The center, he said, provides ample space for various kinds of community activities.
Tieng vowed to build similar centers in other barangays in the city through the constant support of Lacuna and Servo who immediately approved and worked on the needed processes for the Plaza Dela Virgen Community Center to push through.
The mayor, according to Tieng, instantly approved his request for the usufruct for lands to be used for his projects meant to benefit Manilans.
The vice mayor, on the other hand, worked for the immediate passage of a resolution granting the mayor the authority to execute a Deed of Usufruct in Barangay 826 Zone 89 which allows for the utilization of a 243.72 square meters of land for the construction of a multi-purpose building.
"The Plaza Dela Virgen Community Center is a landmark building in the 5th District of Manila, being the first of its kind in the district. This center features essential amenities such as an elevator, barangay office, day care center, and a hardwood covered court," Tieng said.