Tanauan to get new city hall, People’s Park

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas, Philippines – A 2.8-hectare lot on top of a 12-hectare property on Laurel Hill in Barangay Natatas will be the site of the new Tanauan city hall and People’s Park. 

The Torres siblings – former mayor Sonia Torres-Aquino, Nila Torres-Rafer and Feliciano Torres – donated the property to the city government.

The signing of the deed of transfer of the property on Aug. 2 was witnessed by members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, city officials and employees, representatives from various sectors and organizations, barangay chiefs, executives of the Torres Group of Companies, two former mayors and members of the Torres-Aquino-Rafer families.

 “Our family is quite impressed with the mayor’s expansion thrust, particularly, introducing programs that will ensure sustainability and continued development of the areas that will be directly affected by the city hall transfer,” Feliciano, chairman of the Torres Group and designated spokesman for the Torres clan, said in his speech during the signing ceremony.

 “This is the reason why our family, rather than selling the property, decided to donate it instead to the city,” he added.

Mayor Antonio Halili said the people of Tanauan City would be forever grateful to the Torres family.

“We will reciprocate this generosity with good stewardship, transparent governance, intensified public service and determined drive to alleviate the lives of each and every Tanaueño,” he said.

He also bared plans to convert the old city hall into a hospital to serve less privileged constituents.

Groundwork for the project is expected to start shortly as the city government obtained a P500-million loan from Land Bank of the Philippines.