Two more 3S Centers – multipurpose government buildings – have been recently opened in two barangays in Valenzuela City.

Inaugurated on February 20, the two-storey Bignay 3S Center houses a fire substation, police community precinct, satellite rescue office, health station, and day care center. A tricycle terminal is also under way.

On the other hand, the Maysan 3S Center, inaugurated on February 21, has a barangay office, police community precinct, health station, day care center, and multipurpose hall. Other facilities in the compound include a barangay tanod (watcher) outpost, covered court, tricycle terminal, and minipark.

These two additional 3S Centers bring the number to 11. City Mayor REX Gatchalian said these buildings bring vital government services closer to residents, especially during disasters. A typical 3S Center, which name stand for Sentro ng Sama-samang Serbisyo, has a fire substation, police community precinct, satellite rescue office,  health station, and  multipurpose hall.

During floods and earthquakes, a 3S Center would serve as the city government’s remote incident command post from which all response and relief for the communities it covers would be dispensed. The multipurpose halls could also accommodate evacuees.

City government officials liken 3S Centers to peripheral nerves, with the Allied Local Emergency Response Teams (ALERT) Center as the brain. The disaster response complex, which is currently under construction in a lot across the city hall in Barangay Malinta, will bring together under one roof the Coordinating and Communication Center, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and the Public Information Office. In times of extreme disasters, such as earthquakes, it would function as the city’s emergency operation center.

The first 3S Center was opened in Barangay Polo on September 25, 2014.  Since then, similar facilities have been opened in Barangays Bagbaguin, Dalandanan, Karuhatan, Lawang Bato, Malanday, Parada, Punturin and Ugong. Two other are being built in Gen. T. de Leon and Marulas, set to open this year.

The 3S Centers in Punturin and Ugong also accept renewal of business permits and payment of government taxes and fees; and issue certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates and community tax certificate.