Besa eyes new Panay town hall, public market

By Felipe V. Celino

PANAY, Capiz — Mayor Jonathan Sonny Besa plans to build a new municipal hall and public market as his administration’s major infrastructure projects in the coming months.

Besa outlined the projects during his State of the Municipality Address, in which he presented his administration’s accomplishments over the past year and its plans for the coming years.

He said that after assuming office as Panay mayor in June last year, he immediately requested an audit by the Commission on Audit.

Besa said the audit was intended not to blame the previous administration but to begin “on a clean slate.”

The mayor said the municipality collected PHP 5.4 million, exceeding its original PHP 3 million target by PHP 2.4 million.

Besa stressed the need for a new municipal hall because of Panay’s growing population and increasing demand for government services.

He said the local government needs a larger space and modern facilities despite his decades of experience in public service.

Besa served as a Capiz provincial board member representing the first district for two decades before running for Panay mayor.

The mayor said a modern and appropriately sized municipal hall would benefit government employees and residents seeking public services.

He said a conducive space, better facilities, and an organized working environment would improve the delivery of public services.

Besa said the proposed public market would provide vendors and shoppers with a larger and more suitable space.

He expects the projects to stimulate the local economy, improve public facilities, and strengthen the delivery of services to Panay residents, known as Pan-ayanons.

Besa said the municipal government would continue implementing its plans and programs with transparency, particularly in managing public funds.

He said the administration aims to uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency.

Besa also assured residents that there were no ghost projects in the municipality.