Transfer of Malacañang, Congress to Lucena proposed

LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has proposed the transfer of Malacañang, Congress, and the national government centers (NGCs) here to decongest Metro Manila and promote countryside development.

Salceda said over the weekend that transferring the national government seat to a nearby spacious and safe area would ensure efficient flow of transactions.

Lucena is only about 135 kilometers south of Manila.

A study showed that the Philippines is third in Asia and fifth in the world in terms of traffic chaos. 

Salceda said the government could build a new presidential mansion in Lucena City, resettle Congress and develop NGCs based on the green economy principles in infrastructure planning. 

Having served as economic adviser to Philippine presidents, Salceda pioneered the green economy concept in his province.

Albay’s green economy scheme, as demonstrated by the multibillion peso Albay Guicadale (Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Legazpi) economic township in Barangay Alobo, Daraga, is based on the principles of disaster risk reduction management.

Malacañang, being the seat of national government, should function unhampered by traffic congestion and disaster like flooding, Salceda said.