DNL’s first State of the City Address held at the City Hall
Atrium, February 9, 2005.
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| ``Making Up for Lost Time`` |
I rise on this memorable day to deliver this report card to our people not only
on what has transpired in the first seven months of office of the present administration
but, more importantly, what we all intend to do from here.
We are living on borrowed time. Most of our people distrust our government bureaucracy,
but necessity demands that we get down to business in spite of their suspicion.
How do we intend to do it in Tagbilaran City? It is simply a question of determining
what direction we are taking. A lot of local governments do not know where they
are headed for, so they don’t know how to get there.
Different people have different goals and politicians are no exception. Every
administration takes a different direction. Even before it could reach its destination,
however, another administration takes over and changes course to suit its own
priorities. That is, aside from going after political rivals and pampering political
supporters. This is the reason why many local governments flounder or ran aground.
The sad thing is that the people always end up the biggest losers in the process.
At first glance, many political observers feared that my administration would
not be able to accomplish much because the political equation was stacked against
me. Only one councilor came from my slate for the 10 slots at stake. The vice-mayor,
the eight councilors and two ex-officio members won under the administration ticket.
Even before we could take our oaths, I held exploratory talks with the winning
public officials. It was all a matter of communicating what I had envisioned and
what they wanted to accomplish in the end. My message to them was plain and simple:
we can go after each other’s throat in the next election, but we have to work
as a team for the duration of our term of office.
I must give credit to them for being open-minded and for giving me a chance to
prove my sincerity. We held an executive legislative agenda (or ELA) formulation
workshop to identify our vision, mission, goals and specific programs for the
next three years. Representatives of our civil society also actively participated
in the said undertaking. Thus far, it was the best and widest consultative activity
to start a term of office.
With the overwhelming support of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod under
the leadership of Vice-Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes, they passed a resolution adopting
the ELA. Proudly as a product of a collaborative effort between the executive
and legislative branches and civil society, the vision, mission and goals of the
City of Tagbilaran are in place.
Stripped of the technical terms, we dream for the City of Tagbilaran to be:
“A prime eco-tourism destination that does not lose its spiritual compass and
where the people are given their share of responsibilities in the common search
for growth and sustainability and that is progressive and equitable with the assurance
of responsive governance.”
It is our duty as public servants to lead the community:
“To develop all our available ecological wealth, recover and enrich our cultural
heritage, to strengthen spiritual life and to promote the integrity of every family
in this city.”
We are duty-bound to work for effective services, improved infrastructure and
facilities and to hasten the equitable socio-economic progress with a government
that is responsive and which requires the active participation of all stakeholders.”
As a city, we aspire:
“To create a community that will encourage spiritual growth, sensitive to gender
issues, oriented towards the family and enhanced cultural enrichment. It is a
city that aspires for the flowering of education, safe and healthy, and with equitable
access to a broad range of effective services and adequate facilities that government
should work to install.
We intend to attain a dynamic economy that promotes the development of the people’s
entrepreneurial spirit, to generate sustainable and dignified employment opportunities
steered by a partnership with socially responsible investors and a highly participative
labor force to afford equitable sharing of benefits.
We seek to develop an environment-friendly community that will sustainably manage
its land, coastal, water and energy resources and preserve its ambient air quality
while working to enhance biodiversity and balanced ecology.
We envision an adequately developed infrastructure that supports balanced socio-economic
growth and environmental protection, taking into account the eco-cultural landscape
and the carrying capacity of the city’s ecological resources.
We intend to maintain a protective, service-oriented and efficient governance,
adhering to sustainable development principles through effective partnership of
a transparent and accountable local government with a participative civil society,
and a socially responsible private sector.
For a more scholarly, detailed and technical version of these vision, mission
and goals, may I refer you to the full text that was the result of the ELA that
I mentioned earlier.
You might say it’s too early to celebrate. But take note there has never been
an instance in the first seven months when the executive and legislative departments
went separate directions. Indeed, it is surprising to discover that, after all,
we share most of the visions that we are now pursuing.
With the political division held effectively in check, we proceeded to reach out
to members of the civil society. We must realize that they also want to put in
their share and will be able to contribute significantly if we harness their capabilities
instead of leaving them out.
A landmark in Tagbilaran city’s political history is the institutionalization
of civil society’s participation in governance. Just last week, the NGOs finalize
the draft of the proposed participatory governance ordinance.
My position with the NGOs and any interested stakeholder is simple: there were
suspicions and distrust in the past but that should not stop us from working together
this time. There is always room for optimism that we can work things out.
We have no way to determine whether we have sufficiently purged ourselves of distrust
and suspicion but there is no time to argue. We must work together for the same
people we all swore to commonly serve. I believe that when you have nothing to
hide, you are not afraid to open up.
We are racing against the growing pessimism of our people. We have few choices
and we just have to trust each other if we intend to stem the tide of cynicism,
before we all fall over the cliff. Much as we would prefer other partners, we
just have to make do with each other.
Aside from clear vision and teamwork, perhaps our biggest strength is political
will. One of the first official acts that we did was to downsize, right-size the
bureaucracy, they call it. It demanded political will and we responded decisively.
From as many as 3,000 casual workers that accounted for about 3 million monthly
or 100 million in three years, we have scaled that down to only about 200 casual
workers whose services are needed and sufficiently justified in the process. For
the July to December period alone, we were able to save more than P11 million
otherwise allocated for salary on employees.
To give you a background of the city’s financial standing, our current total debt
which we have inherited from the past administrations is P109,213,721.09. Regardless
of our personal positions on these debts, we are duty-bound to honor them.
We are pleased to report that there has been a noticeable growth in tax collection.
We are confident that the tax collection for the first quarter will surpass the
P50-million mark. For the same period last year, the collection was P44-million
but we are already way above P48-million.
We are still waiting for major business establishments like Bohol Quality, Island
City Mall, Alturas Group of Companies, A.H. Shoppers Mart, appliance centers and
some banking institutions to comply with their tax obligations.
I refuse to look at the growth from an unhealthy point of view. There are those
who conjecture that this is either because there are new tax ordinances or because
of inefficiency of collection in the past. As for tax ordinances, there is none.
For past efficiency or inefficiency of collection, I’m no longer interested.
I would rather attribute it to positive factors. Aside from the implementation
of the one-stop shop, we credit this to a uniform tax base with a metric scheme.
It is now easier to compare figures when you group together firms engaged in the
same trade like those dealing in appliances, lending, merchandise, shopping malls
and others.
The city council is looking to review and update the revenue code and study businesses
by group to be able to determine a more reasonable tax base and thereby intensify
collection from multinational companies operating in the city.
We are also evaluating properties owned by the city which are being used by private
organizations or individuals to determine equitable rental fees. Your legislators
are also looking into the proper programming of our payables to determine which
part of the fund will be used for the year so the rest can be invested on treasury
bills with higher interest rates.
To generate additional income for the city, we propose to extend the services
of the city motorpool to private individuals and entities. All these with the
view of significantly raising our revenues without increasing the burden of our
people.
To bring the government closer to the people and render service where it is needed
most, the city sets its sights on barangay development. We are presently reviewing
the barangay development process to concretely identify the needs of the people.
This will be the base foundation for our barangay projects.
We are dangling an early retirement program as part of our service enhancement
drive. Employees who are approaching retirement age or those who simply have lost
the drive to perform are given incentives to retire early. Again, this requires
political will because there are employees who want the best of both worlds: work
at their own pace and yet demand remuneration that is comparative with the best.
Those who are staying on are motivated not just by offering them with the pay
incentives that would make them competitive with other public sector workers.
We will provide them with a working atmosphere that is not luxurious but conducive
for public service. I am bullish that this administration will be able to shell
out financial windfalls to our employees before this year’s fiesta and regular
school opening in terms of mid-year benefits, more than they received in previous
years.
We have committed to information technology as a medium to improve public service
and transparency. Technology can be tapped to make manpower respond better to
the demands of a quick, zero-backlog, reliable and efficient public service.
Public servants will be supported in their pursuit for training and higher learning
through participation in seminars, conventions and site visits. Indeed, we cannot
expect improved performance from them just by giving them motivational speeches.
As I promised in my inaugural address, we are committed to provide honoraria for
national government employees rendering service in the city including judges,
prosecutors, policemen and teachers. This is in recognition of their contributions
to the city.
In the same manner however, we expect them to render meritorious, if not exemplary
service. We expect judges to be fair, just and decisive in their decisions; prosecutors
to be more aggressive and forceful in prosecuting law-breakers; policemen to be
more determined in implementing law and order and teachers to be more dedicated
in educating our children and students.
There is no question that the clarion call for the day is poverty reduction. Tagbilaran
is a growing urban community and naturally attracts more people particularly the
rural poor. We cannot drive them away but we cannot just neglect them and allow
them to increase their numbers.
The city government has invested in a data-base information system that gives
emphasis on research in identifying significant factors for consideration. We
cannot give what we do not have and we must not give if it is not needed. To stress
the obvious, we can only give the little that we have. Research will provide the
data needed for this.
Health is the heart of the development status. A city cannot sincerely claim to
be progressive if it cannot even cure ordinary ailments. A city can only start
to consider itself progressive when its primary health care program is working
alongside its treatment facilities.
If Makati has its yellow card and Las Piñas has its green card, Tagbilaran has
its blue card. Blue card holders are certified by the respective health and social
welfare workers to qualify for free medicines and hospitalization. On the drawing
board is a comprehensive health care program which seeks to provide for regular
medical mission projects conducted on a regular basis primarily through private
sector initiative.
Sanitation is an integral part of any health program and the major thrust is to
provide toilets for every classroom in public elementary schools. It will also
extend to households in poor communities for the sanitation program to be comprehensive
and therefore effective.
Education is another important component in the thrust of any development agenda.
We cannot do much about the present but we can do a lot for the future. The fate
of our school children today determines to a large extent their future potentials.
Working closely with Dr. Elpedio Jala of the department of education, we have
ordered the installation of two ceiling fans in every room in all elementary public
schools in the city. Dr. Jala and I are also constantly working on the details
of securing a loan for the construction of a minimum of six-room buildings in
all public elementary schools.
The city government has invested significantly in the early childhood education.
While many parents leave their kids in pre-school centers to free them from baby-sitting
chores, the city intends to take advantage of this by training them early and
giving them a strong foundation.
We will set a new standard for public elementary school education by giving teachers
financial incentives aside from the pay that they receive from the national government.
We will offer opportunities for upgrading teacher’s capabilities and providing
quality support facilities conducive for learning. The only way to help children
be competitive in the future is to equip them with sound educational foundation
today.
Incidentally, we have been fortunate to avail of a multiple intelligence program
designed by no less than Dr. Howard Gardner which will hopefully equip our teachers
with the tools and better prepare them before they go to work. We must realize
that the most crucial time in a person’s life is the formative years.
Recognizing that the family is the microcosm of the society, we envision building
a decent home for every family. More than just the structure, however the city
envisions a family enrichment program that will bring back harmony, respect and
unity into the home. Until the last family has its own home to retreat to at night,
I believe this city cannot sincerely make any claims to progress.
The city desires a community that is not bound by bias and prejudice but one which
offers equal opportunity for people regardless of gender. It should work for growth
and progress but it should not do so with the chains of discrimination.
On the other hand, we also should not neglect the senior citizens. Regardless
of their strength and weaknesses, they have carried us this far and we ought to
show them our gratitude for this.
We have prepared a comprehensive program for our elderly to make them feel appreciated
and a small reward for their lifetime that they gave for Tagbilaran City. We give
them not only the little pleasures of enjoying the sights of Bohol through tour
packages offered by the city. More importantly, we intend to tap their skills
and expertise so they will not feel unwanted as many elderly people do.
Initially, we have given them the first field trip ever sponsored by the city
government. Next in line is a picnic that will not be as physically demanding
but definitely equally exciting. This may not be much to those who can afford
to do these things but it is enough to show our gratitude for our elders in the
sunset years of their lives.
Tagbilaran should seek to reclaim its glory as the center of cultural and historical
development in the province. Local history, culture, arts and crafts should be
integrated for students in all levels, from elementary all the way up to college.
After all, learning has no limits. A community that has lost its soul has lost
its identity and therefore has lost its bearing.
We need not be intimidated by our financial limitations and learn from other towns
that have made a mark in children’s choir, rondalla and band competitions despite
earning far less than our city. We must prove to ourselves that we are not inferior
in this score by opening opportunities for cultural development not only in these
fields but even in other internationally acclaimed art mediums like ballet.
To show our appreciation for those who have given honor to our province, my administration
is extending an offer to all past members of the Loboc Children’s Choir who aspire
for but have been denied opportunities for higher education. This is our humble
way of showing not only appreciation but also concern.
As an aside, I have personally committed to the education of two children chess
prodigies who have shown star potentials by their strong finish in international
tournaments.
Definitely, the biggest challenge that any local government faces is livelihood.
That is even more daunting in a city where there are very few opportunities such
as Tagbilaran. Obviously, when only few people work, poverty will never be contained
but will even worsen. As we can see, while the ranks of the jobless are swelling,
few doors are opening for workers to come in.
The city will actively work towards its metamorphosis at the heart of a developing
tourism hub. We have encouraged tourism oriented business establishments and firms
to improve their facilities and services in terms of tax incentives. After all,
the tourism sector is the only reasonable business potential today.
We will work towards the full utilization of the potentials of the central public
market as a bagsakan. In a growing city, this market that saps much of the city’s
resources in terms of amortization requirements that is part of the P120-million
loan which I have inherited. Definitely, we must make both the integrated public
market fully productive and the best way to do that is to give it a distinct attraction
such as bagsakan.
There is also the potential in developing, processing and marketing of local products.
Again, due to the expected influx of tourists, the challenge of small, home grown
producers and industries is to cater to this potential market by coming up with
the take-home products.
To do this, we intend to undertake productivity and skills enhancement trainings
particularly for the jobless and under-employed who compose the majority to help
them get by.
A favorable business climate however is anchored on the stability of the city’s
peace and order condition. The fight to preserve peace and order is as constant
as man himself, if biblical experience is to be one basis, crime happened even
when there were only four people living on earth. In a city whose population continues
to grow well beyond its carrying capacity, there is a greater need for more peace-keeping
measures.
We have received reports of juvenile gangs getting bolder and showing potentials
of real trouble. We will do our best to deal with these gangs positively, summoning
their leaders and admonishing them against playing with people’s lives. If these
appeals fall on deaf ears however, we make it plain to them that we will never
countenance a breakdown in law and order. We will unleash the full might of the
law when such is needed.
We have provided our law enforcers the best incentive that we can give in terms
of funding support for policemen individually and as a vital service institution.
We recognize the fact that since the Rocha administration, the PNP has not received
a new vehicle to boost its competence. Again, considering that the city is cash-strapped,
we can only do so much as provide for five new motorcycles.
To attend to the worsening traffic problem in the city, we have initially ordered
the acquisition of new traffic lights that will be more responsive to pedestrians
than those existing at present. On top of this, we are recommending the passage
of an Omnibus Traffic Ordinance. When this is passed, we intend to demand discipline
not because we want to impose fines and penalties but because we want order in
the street.
On top of that however, we are demanding greater efficiency from barangay tanods
and from the people themselves. In areas where population is not dense as those
in depressed communities, it is doubtful that residents are unaware of any crime
committed or those responsible for it. The key is to convince them that something
effective will be one about the information that they provide. We can provide
the response but the information must come from the ground.
Certainly another area where Tagbilaran has a lot of catching up to do is in the
field of infrastructure development. After a long slumber, the city government
will undertake the long-overdue road and drainage development including the city
diversion road and road network, curb and gutter works, improvement of bridges,
concreting and upgrading of city streets and sidewalks aside from equipping them
with lighting facilities.
Tagbilaran needs to implement its comprehensive land use plan particularly concerning
the mothballed agora, informal settlers and foreshores leases. It is simply putting
to good, if not maximum, use the land resources at the city’s disposal and within
its jurisdiction.
We need to improve the water system and come up with a power supply program responsive
to the demands of a growing metropolis. We will improve the rural waterworks system
which will seek to upgrade services in rural communities to be at par if not superior
to those in the commercial and urban districts. Tagbilaran’s dreams for progress
are anchored on shifting sand unless the power and water needs of the city are
firmly grounded.
To affirm the city’s claims as Bohol’s jewel and gateway, Tagbilaran will start
laying the foundation for the construction of its own convention center. The city
will also start the ball rolling for the construction of its own sports complex
and an eco-friendly recreation center that will be the seat of its cultural renaissance.
In the final analysis, it is all about people. I can bore you with our visions
of infrastructure development and you will tell me you have heard them before,
from other politicians with bigger dreams but who never made significant contributions
to their communities.
Let me tell you that we have bigger plans for infrastructure and economic development,
but they are hollow and deceptive if the people in the city remain poor, sick
and angry. Sooner or later, these structures will give way to the constant onslaught
of crime and lawlessness. A hungry man is an angry man. That goes, too with every
hungry woman, youth or child.
But we who are in government cannot do it alone. In fact, this early there are
many who scoff at our dreams because they do not believe that they are doable.
That is true. We need all the help and support that we can get, whether it is
from the biggest entrepreneur or the poorest citizen. No help is too little. No
expression of support is too trivial to a little city that desires to grow.
I have always been clear about this: we do not have the luxury of waiting for
a better climate to work for progress. We are making up for lost time so we have
to start now. Above all, we need to bear in mind that nobody else is going to
do it for us. We do believe that god loves us enough to provide for all our needs
but he can only go as far as working through us.
I sincerely believe, and I know you will agree with me, that we cannot afford
to fail. Failing to do this, we disappoint not only our people who look up to
us today but all those who will come after us. The quest for a better life for
our people simply cannot wait. It must begin right here and right now.
On this score, I make this invitation to professionals in the private sector.
I know there are many who desire a better life not only for themselves and their
families but also those in the community where they live in. I am not asking you
to give more than what you are capable of giving. Your talents and expertise will
be valuable assets to our city’s march for progress.
Physicians can contribute to the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive
health program. Our engineers and architects can lend their expertise to enhance
the capability of the city engineer’s office. Accountants can recommend better
ways to enhance our business and tax divisions to generate more income. Indeed,
we have room for everybody who desires to invest in Tagbilaran’s dream for progress.
In relation to this, I issue this appeal to set aside whatever political affiliations
we embraced in the past. I long to see the day when people will no longer consider
themselves Lim loyalists or Torralba supporters or Cabalit die-hards. I dream
to see the day when we shall indeed become one family and one city.
It is not easy of course. To be able to accomplish this, we need to work as a
team. I am appealing to both foes and allies to sacrifice because we have no loot
to divide, no spoils of war to distribute. We only have work to do and a destiny
to fulfill.
We impose the limits to what we can do. We can be contented with a little. This
is still mediocrity to me because we are swimming against the tide not only of
economic, political and social unrest but also of deteriorating moral and spiritual
beliefs. The erosion of these values has enlarged the phantoms in our minds. So
much that we are no longer eager to rise above our difficulties and conquer our
fears.
I don’t know about you, but I believe we can pull this off together. We have what
it takes not only to pull abreast with the best cities in the country and even
in Southeast Asia if we only set our hearts to it. For as long as we work to make
life better for the least of our fellow beings, I believe that God will be with
us because He Himself said we are doing it to Him.
If we must dream, which we must if we are to get out of our present hole, we might
as well dream big. Rome was not built in one day and so will Tagbilaran. If you
dream with us, we might yet prove to all the unbelievers that life rewards those
who refuse to let go of their dreams.
Thank you and good day to all of you! |
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