Malacañang sa Sugbo to Serve As ‘People’s Palace’

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino said the re-establishment of the Malacañang sa Sugbo is significant as this will serve as the ‘People’s Palace’ in the Visayas Region.

“The Malacañang sa Sugbo is a place accessible not only to government officials and local government units but most especially to the ordinary masses that want to elevate concerns to our office,” said Dino during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers – Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7).

Dino also told reporters he plans to establish a Presidential Action Center once the Malacañang sa Sugbo officially opens in late October.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s representative in the Visayas stressed he does not want to duplicate the functions of the regional line agencies but he merely wants to complement the services of government and let the people feel “connected” to Malacañang.

“When we talk about Malacañang, it seems a place that is very inaccessible and out of reach especially to the people in the Visayas. And through our office, we hope to change that by bringing Malacañang closer to the people,” said Dino.

Dino further said he also plans to place coordinators in the different regions in the Visayas so that people in these regions could immediately get access to his office through the coordinators in the said areas.

Regions that comprised the Visayas are Region 6,7,8 and the Negros Island Region.

With coordinators in place, concerns can immediately be brought to his attention and swift actions can then be taken to resolve urgent problems, said Dino.

According to Dino, he has visited Samar, Tacloban and Bohol and said much needs to be done in these areas with high poverty incidence. He has noted the problems seen in these areas and said he would see how he can help but added that sometimes politicking gets in the way in the delivery of basic services.

But the common problems faced by the present administration in the Visayas are still illegal drugs followed by corruption, which are the priority thrusts of President Duterte, bared Dino.

Dino said he would try to do all he can to make a difference in the lives of the people especially the marginalized sectors as he urged government agencies to do their job and deliver their services with “malasakit” (compassion).

The presidential assistant also said he is open and accessible to everyone who wants to seek his help regardless of political color. (fcr/PIA7)