Boac: Cityhood next?

The newly inaugurated Boac Municipal Building

The town fiesta of Boac, Marinduque was marked this year with the inauguration of two buildings, a project of the administration of Mayor Roberto M. Madla. The first was the Fire Station Building in Brgy. Santol and the second, the new and fully air-conditioned Boac Municipal Building.

Bishop of Boac, Most Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista and Mayor Bert  Madla

Based on remarks conveyed during the event attended by several hundred guests from barangays and various local government offices, the occasion served as an opportunity to look back at the time when even the idea of building a bigger government house for this growing municipality was met with skepticism. Madla, previously elected for three consecutive terms until his term expired explained that annual allocation for the construction of a new building was undertaken by the municipal government, yet even with funds sufficient to start construction nothing was done. Upon election for a new term as mayor, he prioritized the project, debunking arguments like “aanhin mo ang magandang bahay kung kumakalam naman ang sikmura mo”, which he argues is not applicable as development concerns are more effectively addressed in convenient and better-equipped facilities.

Mayor Madla

“Boac is a first class municipality, so as soon as we have moved to this new building, the full computerization of our system will come next to fast-track processes. The city government of Tayabas, our future ‘sister city’, and our municipal government has, in fact, recently entered into a MOA in this regard.”, Madla said. “Next we will pursue the full realization of the Dr. Pablo Marquez Health and Diagnostic Center in Boac, eventually being the only municipality in the country with such a facility complete with dialysis machines.”

DILG MIMAROPA Regional Director James Fadrilan

DILG Regional Director James Fadrilan, who graced the occasion, remarked that he was amused to hear the public exchange between the two candidates for mayor of the town, namely Madla and board member Allan Nepomuceno, who both made statements to the effect that they would not allow their long-time friendship to be affected by local politics. In jest, Madla expressed his willingness to support an idea apparently hatched by board member Melecio Go, for both mayoralty candidates to go out of town, preferably to a foreign country, a month before the election provided Go would fully shoulder their expenses. 

Upon hearing this, Nepomuceno, rushed to the mayor’s side who was delivering his speech and raised the mayor’s hand with the victory sign as if in surrender to the delight of the audience.

Cong. Lord Allan Velasco

 Congressman Lord Allan Velasco also graced the occasion to convey his congratulations and continued support to the mayor and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.Vice-Governor Antonio Uy, Jr. also conveyed his remarks. The Most Reverend Bishop of Boac, Reynaldo G. Evangelista came to bless the inauguration of the two impressive buildings, Boac’s newest landmarks.

One of the municipio's stunning staircases

View of the Boac Cathedral from the third floor

Also inaugurated was the new Boac Fire Station in Brgy. Santol

On YouTube: Boac Municipal Building