New ‘ environmentally friendly’ Lucena City Hall inaugurated

The newly inaugurated P320-million Lucena City Government Complex is said to be a “one stop-shop” and “environmentally-friendly” building. Photo by Delfin T. Mallari Jr./Inquirer Southern Luzon

LUCENA CITY—Local officials on Friday led the inauguration of a P320-million Lucena City Government Complex or the new city hall building along the Maharlika Highway diversion road.

The “environmentally designed” building was conceptualized by architect Felino Palafox Jr. Seventy percent of its walls are open windows to take advantage of natural light, ventilation and fresh cool air for lesser use of the air-conditioning system.

From the roof deck, one could also have a panoramic view of Mt. Banahaw and Tayabas Bay.

The structure was also designed to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake, instead of just 7 as imposed by the building code, and 300 kilometers-per-hour wind speed, instead of just 200 kph.

Lucena Mayor Rhoderick Alcala, in his speech, called the 9,000-square-meter structure a “one stop shop” for his constituents who want to transact with the local government.

“All local government services will start from here,” Alcala said in his speech at the inauguration ceremony.

He urged all city employees to provide every citizen with honest, efficient and sincere services.

A Catholic Mass officiated by Lucena Bishop Emilio Marquez and participated in by famous healing priest Fr. Joey Faller and other priests from the diocese was held on the façade of the four-storey
building before the inauguration ceremony.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II graced the occasion as guest of honor. He was joined by former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, his elder brother Quezon Rep. Vicente Alcala and leaders of
the city’s business community.

The new city hall is located in Barangay (village) Silangang Mayao, 7 km from the city proper. The construction was started in February 2015.

The old city hall building in the city proper that was built in 1910 will remain. It will continue to house the mayor’s office, Lucena police station and the city library. Local government employees will start holding office at the new building on Monday. RAM/rga