New concept in public service

MANILA, Philippines - Less than a year after Lingkod Pinoy Center made its debut, Robinsons Malls’ innovative, pioneering and exclusive concept is now hosting nine government agencies. These government offices are the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Registration Authority (LRA), and Department of Tourism (DOT).

On Sept. 19, DFA National Capital Region Central will inaugurate a new space at Robinsons Galleria. It will open to the public the next day, Sept. 20.

DFA-Lipa City will open Sept. 26 at Robinsons’ Place Lipa and start serving the public on Sept. 27. DFA-General Santos City will be inaugurated on Sept. 21 at Robinsons’ Place GenSan and will open Sept. 22.

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) president and chief operating officer Frederick Go said, “By hosting some of the busiest government agencies, Robinsons’ Malls Lingkod Pinoy Center (RMLPC) is providing a very welcome and appreciated service to Filipinos who have been spared the difficulty, inconvenience and discomfort of transacting business in the national or regional headquarters of these offices. To date, more than 5 million Filipinos have been served by the Lingkod Pinoy Centers.”

“Robinsons’ Malls is the first and only mall chain that offers government-related services that are housed in one, self-contained facility,” Go added.

The concept was developed by the Robinsons’ Malls group, the second largest operator of malls with over 30 malls in key cities and provinces and still expanding, to make a positive difference for the people they serve.

The public service is designed to provide mall customers the convenience of hassle-free transactions with different government agencies, saving them time and money.

In less than two years, RMLPC is steadily achieving its goal of giving back to mall patrons by providing them more than the usual services and amenities they get from shopping places.

Strategically located in major urban centers and easily accessible by public transport, RMLPC is evolving into a mini-government hub, a one-stop destination for people needing to transact business with different agencies. It is proving to be a winner for all partners, the public included.

By offering viable spaces to bring government agencies closer to the people they serve, Robinsons’ Malls is showing in a very unique way its appreciation for loyal patronage and demonstrating that they are as much into public service as they are into doing business profitably.

For government agencies, locating outlets in Robinsons’ Malls is helping ease congestion in their offices.     Even more important, they are demonstrating their commitment to public service by going to their clientele, sparing them the hassle of traveling long distances and waiting for hours, which could mean lost income, as they often have to be absent from work.

With more and more government agencies joining the Lingkod Pinoy circle, people who live or work close to a Robinsons’ Mall can quickly transact their business and still have plenty of time to do other things or to return to the office.

They can even come after they finish work as the agencies located at the centers have adopted mall hours, remaining open a few hours beyond the usual closing time of public and private offices. Some agencies also adjusted work days so the public can transact business on weekends.

If waiting is unavoidable, people can do so in the comfort of air-conditioned, covered and secure and safe premises. They can do some window shopping or have a snack in one of the many establishments in Robinsons’ Malls.

People can combine grocery shopping, for instance, with a quick dash to the GSIS, PhilHealth or Pag-ibig Fund to get an update on their membership records, or to the LTO to get new drivers’ licenses. They can visit the Department of Tourism (DOT) i-stand for information on the country’s numerous and diverse tourist destinations.

Overseas Filipino workers and other travelers can apply for new passports with DFA while real estate owners can verify deeds to their properties with the LRA. Job seekers can get clearances from the NBI and social security numbers from SSS all in one day, as they do not have to travel to opposite ends of Metro Manila.

“During recent calamities, Pag-ibig members experienced the convenience of applying for calamity loans at the Lingkod Pinoy Centers,” said Arlene Magtibay, RLC general manager for commercial centers division.

“What makes RMLPC even more convenient is that the general public pays directly to the agencies concerned – no add ons for the services,” Magtibay added. 

She said Robinsons’ Department Store’s Business Centers and some accredited banks are also inside the malls to facilitate payment.