By MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City — Working on problems left unaddressed by the previous administration, the new city hall leadership is laying the foundation for a better future, Mayor Monico Puentevella yesterday said.
Reporting the state of the city in what he dubbed as “Ulat ni Mayor (Mayor’s Report),” Puentevella said his administration has exhibited “political will” and “will for change” during its first 365 days.
“One year ago, when we first stepped into the halls of this building, we brought with us the hopes and dreams of our people for a better future,” he said before a crowd at the lobby of the city hall, which he named the “People’s House.”
“It is the same hopes and dreams that fueled our passion to become servant leaders and work hard for the achievement of our goals,” he said.
But to realize the “Bacolod of the Future,” the mayor said, “we must first lay down its basic foundations … That was the goal that we have set for our first year.”
These include addressing various problems, including millions of pesos in debt, left by the previous administration, said Puentevella.
He said the city government has formed a task force that regulates ambulant and illegal vending, especially at the downtown area and in public markets.
Puentevella said they will use a sanitary landfill instead of an open dumpsite to maximize efforts to clean the metro.
In terms of road safety and efficient traffic management, the city hall has deployed to all major streets 237 traffic discipline officers and 29 traffic aides under the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, he said.
Puentevella said his party, the MKK (Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan), has provided free medicine and hospitalization to about 60,000 indigents families in the city.
The mayor said the city government intends to make tourism in Bacolod sweeter and more fun.
He cited the success of last year’s MassKara Festival and other festivals like the Bacolaodiat, Diwali and San Sebastian.
In the field of education, Puentevella said he will revive the emergency clothing allowance for teachers and will allocate P1 million for scholarships grants for educators.
Puentevella delivered Ulat ni Mayor during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
All city councilors and their presiding officer, Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, were present./PN
