By Mae Singuay

The establishment of the Bacolod Express Service Office (BESO), the one-stop-shop government service center, on the third floor of a shopping mall in the city is expected to be completed this month.

Frances Mae Llamas, Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions assistant department head, said BESO will support the services of the city government.

“We are trying that by December 15, the program of works will be completed,” Llamas said.

She added that the offices are customized so that they could attend to the services of several offices.

A memorandum of agreement was signed between the city government and the shopping mall on September 12, 2022, for the establishment of BESO.

It was expected to open in 2022, but it was delayed for some reason.

Based on the agreement, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the mall will provide the space free of charge, while the city government will construct the offices and install furniture and other amenities.

“Ginapalapit naton ini sa aton constituents kay bal-an man naton nga ang malls ang nakadtuan sang mga tawo. We are putting satellite offices here para indi na sila mabudlayan,” Benitez said.

This will give options for residents to avail government services for convenience and easier access, he added.

Satellite offices in the BESO include the Department of Social Services and Development, Local Civil Registrar, Commission on Population and Development, Office of the Building Official, Business Permits and Licensing Office, Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office, Public Employment Services Office, Bacolod City Police Office, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Tourism Office, City Health Office, and other national agencies./MS, WDJ