Oca, Rufus agree on one thing: city hall’s transfer to Lumbia

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

IF there is a thing that Mayor Oscar Moreno and his challenger 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez agree on, it’s the plan to transfer the seat of the local government to Lumbia.

The plan to move city hall to Barangay Lumbia is contained in the City Expansion Program which was mapped out with the help of the United Nations Habitat, and which even past local officials contemplated on, Moreno said on Friday.

Moreno said the plan has been adopted by his administration considering the rapid growth of the city.

“Kon dili kita mag-plano karon, mabiya-an kita sa development,” he said.

Moreno said this after Rodriguez revealed his plan to transfer city hall to Lumbia.

“Ang plano nga i-transfer ang city hall, idea kana niadtong panahon sa mga unang city officials ug gi-adopt  karon  sa  City Expansion Program uban sa UN Habitat,” he said.

Former mayor Vicente Emano proposed the transfer of city hall but his plan was greeted with strong opposition because he wanted the seat of the local government moved to the site of the present city dump.

Moreno said it was time for local officials to map out plans for the transfer of city hall to Lumbia considering efforts to build a road network from Valencia City to Iligan City via Pangantucan and Talakag towns in Bukidnon.

Rodriguez earlier said city hall needed to be moved because of the vehicular traffic congestion on Capistrano and Gearlan streets, and due to the lack of parking spaces. Another site for a new city hall, he said, would be Tablon.

Rodriguez also said the present city hall could house the City Museum, a modern public library, and could be used for tourism and cultural purposes, and trainings. (nitz arancon)