SP Highlights: We Have Faith

Mayor John G. Bongat delivered the State of Our City Report during the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s 43rd Regular Session this June 14, 2017. Dubbed “I Have Faith in You”, our industrious and kind local chief executive reported the developments that the city had, not only for the past year but also for the entire stretch of our administration. Our faith to each other has been the reason why, on the field of health and sanitation, our city was recognized in 2016 as Top Performing City in the Oplan Tsekap of the Department of Health. It is the underlying value on our effort to facilitate “growth with equity” and make sure that those who are in the margins can be provided with affordable housing and decent quality of life thru the Kaantabay sa Kauswagan Program and the Ginhawang Nagueño Program. Having faith to the next generation that they, as future leaders, will make the best better for our city and our people is the reason why we invest a lot to education. From early childhood education to tertiary education, we provide programs that ease access to quality education. As reported by Mayor Bongat, tertiary scholars grew from 117 in 2010 to 976 in 2016. The City College of Naga will be offering a bachelor’s degree in midwifery and office administration, making it easier to obtain a college diploma – a crucial tool for improving one’s plight in life. Others have also put their faith in us. We have a growing economy and an expanding tourism industry thanks to investors and tourists who have believed in the business dynamism of our city. For the past three years, we posted a 12% annual growth in the business sector. There were also 1.2 million tourists who visited Naga, contributing significantly to the expansion of our accommodation establishments from 21 in 2011 to 73 in 2016. The Naga City People’s Mall and the Bicol Central Station benefited from this good news as manifested by the revenues they earned in 2016, amounting to P55M and P45M, respectively. Sustaining our faith in society is also crucial. Hence, maintaining the city’s peace and order and preserving our environment are also top priorities of the city government. Thru efforts of the Public Safety Office and the Naga City Police Office, headed by its full-fledged director, PSSupt Julius Muñez, index crimes have decreased by 25%. On environment conservation, the closure of the Balatas Dumpsite, the construction of the new San Isidro Sanitary Landfill and the continuous implementation of the Integrated Naga River Revalization Program are contributing significantly in our efforts towards sustainable development. Indeed, the city has been successful and has gone a long way due to the governed and the governors’ faith to each other. It is through mutual respect, active cooperation and teamwork that we are able to conquer challenges and overcome shortcomings. As a testament to this, Naga has been named as the Philippines’ Most Competitive Component City for the past two years – 2015 and 2016. Beyond all these achievements, however, we do know though that we can do more. We have seen how collaboration can multiply our individual capabilities and accomplish seemingly impossible feats. Our faith has led us to build a Maogmang Lugar. But our faith also tells us that we can make the best better. And, we have faith.