As the 2013 ends and the new year 2014 begins, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is enthusiastic of the city’s accomplishments and looks forward for sustainability and continuity of development activities in the city.
“There are no frustrations in 2013 even if detractors continue to throw bitter tomatoes against me and my administration. With an overwhelming success of 15-0 in the May 2013 elections in favor of our political candidates and the support of 179 barangay captains out of 180 barangays in the October elections, we are in for better times,” Mabilog said.
Among his major accomplishments in 2013, the city chief executive said that public infrastructures take the bulk of accomplishments.These include the public service infras such as the start of the Iloilo Convention Center, La Paz Maternity clinic upgraded into the Iloilo City Reproductive Health Hospital, the upgraded city slaughterhouse, street widening from Jaro to Leganes and the coastal road, and the road widening along the diversion road.
The year also saw the massive bullish attraction of private business in investing in the city such as the Ayala Corp., Megaworld ,Gaisano, Double Dragon and Injap Corp.and Gaisano Capital.
Mabilog said the year 2014 is essential for sustainability and continuity of activities. With national and regional awards to boast as champion in administrative governance, the city mayor said the city government will remain focus on its activities to sustain economic growth.
Massive infrastructure growth by the government and the private sectors will mark the year. Mabilog said he will try to find a final solution to the water problem besetting the city and particularly the water district. He also vowed to work on the city traffic problem.
For calamity prone areas, the city chief executive said thecity will abide by the absolute no construction of houses along the river banks and shorelines. The city will look for higher safety places as relocation sites and the public schools and gymnasiums are no longer available as evacuation centers.
On sports, the city government is eyeing a sports venue for all the sport activities in the city. On health, the city is planning to increase the financial assistance for hospitalization of indigent families and divert from the paying of increased PhilHealth premiums. On education, the city is set to fully implement the K12 program in 2015-2016 for children.
And finally, the city starts to brace up for the national presidential elections in 2016. By Lydia Pendon
