LUBAO, Pampanga—Officials of this town are creating more business and employment opportunities by building a P71-million municipal complex along the national highway in Barangay Santa Catalina here.
Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and her parents, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and businessman Rodolfo Pineda, and Vice Mayor Robertito Diaz led the groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the project worth P14.7 million at the 8-hectare property on Jose Abad Santos Avenue on Friday.
Jasa is a newly improved highway that is widely used by commuters en route to Bataan and Zambales provinces.
The first-class town is gearing up to host the Third Lubao International Hot Air Balloon festival from April 14 to 17 at the Pradera Verde, Barangay Prado Siongco. It is expected to draw thousands of local and foreign tourists.
The whole complex, including the town hall, will cost P71,840,000. The two-term governor will give additional funds for the project, the mayor said.
Cayabyab thanked her father, Rodolfo, for donating the lot for the project and the development of the property, including back filing and fencing. She also expressed gratitude to Lilia for teaching the importance of being a dedicated and hardworking public servant.
“This municipal hall will create more businesses and employment,” Cayabyab said.
“The location will also be free from floods,” she added. The municipal hall in Plaza Lubao is affected by floods during the rainy season.
Cayabyab also traced history during his speech, saying that the former location of the San Agustin Parish Church was in Santa Catalina, when constructed in 1572.
“It’s but fitting we return the seat of the local government in Santa Catalina,” she added.
Cayabyab said the town government will also construct a satellite campus of the Don Honorio Ventura Technical State University (DHVTSU) in the area to serve future college students of the town. She added that the province will help provide the P65 million for the DHVTSU campus.
Lubao has 215 registered businesses in 2015, and its total budget last year was some P240 million. It has a P268-million total budget in 2016.
Image credits: Deng Pangilinan