CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Dec. 11 - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led Friday the groundbreaking of the new site for the CALABARZON Regional Government Center here, an integrated regional center for government offices that is erected to decongest Metro Manila and promote better governance and delivery of services.

The President led the simple capsule laying ceremonies at the Greenfield Development Corporation (GDC) regional hub site along the South Luzon Expressway in Barangay Mapagong.

Assisting the President during the lowering of the time capsule were Environment Secretary Jose Atienza, Calamba City Mayor Joaquin Chipeco, Laguna Governor Teresita Lazaro, Laguna 2nd District Representative Justin Marc Chipeco, Regional Development Council (Region 4) Chairperson Quezon Governor Rafael Nantes, governors and congressmen from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, GDC chairman Jeffrey Joseph Campos, and Director Dominador Mondragon of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for New Government Centers.

The establishment of the CALABARZON Regional Government Center was realized with the donation of two hectares for the purpose by GDC.

GDC is a major player in real and industrial estate and prime property development here which acquired a 25-hectare lot in Barangay Mapagong near the Canlubang Toll Plaza, SLEX.

Aside from the regional government center, GDC will transform the area into a bustling industrial complex and regional hub for regional headquarters of big businesses.

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 246 signed by the President on October 2003, the CALABARZON Regional Government Center through the RDC IV-A affirmed the choice of Calamba City as the site of the regional center having been established as the center of industrial development and urban activities.

In his remarks, Mayor Chipeco thanked the President for earlier declaring Calamba as “a regional center for the CALABARZON.”

Chipeco said the establishment of the new government regional center will surely enhance the quality of life and open up new economic opportunities for the 11 million residents in the area.

The establishment of the Regional Government Center in this city is expected to foster better coordination and promote efficiency in the discharge of functions between and among agencies operating in the CALABARZON area which, at present, are scattered government regional offices –12 in Calamba City; five in Laguna; six in Batangas; five in Quezon; and 24 in Metro Manila. (PNA)