Abra town finally gets municipal hall, cop station

MALIBCONG, Abra, Philippines – After years of neglect the town of Malibcong in Abra, which can be accessed through a six-hour mountain trail ride, finally gets a municipal hall and a police station.

The construction of a municipal hall in the village of Umnap and a police station in Barangay Poblacion, both in the town proper, were completed this month, said Town Mayor Benido Bacuyag.

The buildings were built through a P9-million loan acquired by the municipal government from the Land Bank of the Philippines.  The loan is payable within five years.

Malibcong was known as the hotbed of communist insurgency during the 70s until the 80’s.

For years, a bungalow house in Barangay Poblacion served as a satellite office for the municipal officials and employees.

Aside from the municipal hall and police station, the local government used part of the loan to buy a service vehicle for the mayor and heavy equipment such as a backhoe and dump trucks, Bacuyag said.

He said the Philippine National Police provided P4 million for the construction of the building while the municipal government provided the lot and additional funds for the hauling of materials.                 

Bacuyag said a “bayanihan” of sort ensued as residents voluntarily helped to construct the buildings.