Arroyo inaugurates RP’s ‘largest’ barangay hall

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday inaugurated what is touted as the "largest" barangay hall in the Philippines - the Maysan Barangay Complex (MBC) in Valenzuela City. Located right smack in the middle of the 253-hectare Barangay Maysan, the P27-million MBC is a three-storey building with a floor area of 3,000 square meters. The structure sits on a 936-square-meter lot, which was acquired by the barangay council in 1997 during the term of then barangay chairman Pablo Lucas. Of the P27 million allocation for the MBC, P5 million went to the acquisition of the land while P22 million was spent on the construction of the building. Funding for the project was sourced from the congressional fund of then congressman Emmanuel Carlos of the city’s first district, and later from the congressional allocation of Representative Magtanggol Gunigundo of the second district. Construction of the MBC was completed in 2007 and, shortly thereafter, the hall was opened to the public in October 2007. Aside from the administrative offices such as the ones for administration, treasurer, barangay council and the barangay chairman, the MBC also houses a livelihood training, day care and action center, a senior citizen's office and a multi-purpose hall-cum-gymnasium. The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) office and a Hall of Justice are located on the second floor of the MBC. Upon her arrival in Valenzuela City, the President led guests composed of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Gunigundo, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Eric Martinez, and Barangay Maysan chairman Enrique Urutia in the ribbon-cutting ceremony formally opening the MBC to Valenzuela City residents. She then unveiled the project marker located on the ground floor of the MBC, after which she was then given a tour of the MBC's facilities starting with the Livelihood Training Center, Day Care Center, SK, Personnel and Chairman's Offices and finally the Multi-purpose Hall. Mrs Arroyo expressed amazement at the accomplishment of Valenzuela City, particularly that of Barangay Maysan, and congratulated the officers and employees for their "outstanding work." "Congratulations for keeping the City of Valenzuela dynamic and prosperous," the President told about 200 Maysan officials and employees who came out to greet her. - Sun.Star