BACOLOD City – The city government will operate satellite offices in a mall here.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Maria Sharon Ciocon, general manager of Ayala Malls Capitol Central, signed a memorandum of agreement on Sept. 12 for the establishment of the Bacolod Express Service Office (BESO) in a 427-square meter area at the third floor of the mall.
BESO will be a one-stop-shop government service center and is expected to open before the end of this year.
“Ginapalapit ta sa aton constituents kay bal-an man naton nga ang malls ang nakadtu-an sang mga tawo. We are putting here satellite offices para indi na sila mabudlayan,” he stressed.
Based on the agreement, the mayor said, the mall will provide the area free of rent, while the city government will construct the offices and install furniture and other amenities.
Offices in BESO shall include the Department of Social Services and Development, Local Civil Registrar, Population Commission, Office of the Building Official, Business Permits and Licensing Office, Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office, Public Employment Services Office, Bacolod City Police Office, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Tourism Office, City Health Office, and several national agencies.
Ciocon, meanwhile, said, “Ayala Malls Capitol Central is anchored on values of long-term vision and a strong commitment to national development, especially in communities where we serve. We see that these principles are also embodied by the current Bacolod City administration and the mall gladly celebrates the alignment of our values through another people-first initiative.”
“Through BESO, processing of government services will be made efficient, systematic, and most importantly, convenient for everyone,” she added./PN
