Office of Community Affairs in Tanauan

It is the Best in the Philippines! I’ve been to Tanauan for two or three times already but it was my first time to be in the Office of Community Affairs. It was the venue for our scheduled planning session of the Southern Luzon Association of Museums (SLAM). I was on time, but a few minutes before 9:00 o’clock in the morning. Since I was the first to arrive, I had a chance to chat with our host, the head of this office and past president of SLAM, Angelina Amat. I couldn’t help but admire not only the accomplishments but the design of her office.

First thing that captured my attention was this mat exuding Filipino identity.

Classy. It seemed like I was in a corporate office in a business district.

I believe that offices like these are conducive to improving the system.

Only a good head can bring laurels to an office this big.

Best Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in the Philippines.

Tourism, Culture and the Arts are also under this office.

There’s a glass waterwall that provides a relaxing feel.

On the wall at the reception area is a poster of the city’s pride, the Napayong Island.

Tourism, culture, and history brochures are ready to be picked by anybody who would be interested.

In one corner, there is a citizen’s feedback box that is locked, opened for a certain period of time, and the comments are posted on the board nearby.

One of the many babies of its Head of Office: calendar that features the city and its services for the people of Tanauan.

One major project: the coffee table book for the readers of today and for posterity.

This year’s planning session of the Southern Luzon Association of Museums (SLAM) was held in this office.

Yes, that’s a typographical error. It’s 2014, not 2013.

Indeed, the City Community Affairs Office of Tanauan changes the way we look at government offices. Best in the region, best in the country. It is ISO certified! Now here’s the challenge: can we upgrade all government offices to this level? Why not? Give it a try.