Wednesday, October 10, 2007 Mayor shows off triumphs in first 100 days
PROJECTS and programs that were not implemented in previous administrations were realized in his 100 days in office, claimed Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. in his first State of the City Address (Soca) on Tuesday.
But curiously, Bautista did not include as part of his administration's achievement the end to jueteng as reported by the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).
The mayor said he chose not to include in his speech the eradication of jueteng because the police's report that it no longer exists is sufficient to assume that indeed, it stopped operation.
He earlier ordered the BCPO to stop jueteng within 10 days.
Jueteng became a major issue in Bautista's administration after some councilors and local journalists observed his silence on the issue despite glaring proof that during his first few days as elected mayor, bet collection was openly done.
As to why Bautista was silent on this “achievement,” Councilor Richard Cariño could only surmise that in reality, the mayor failed to attain this objective.
And contrary to the report that reached the mayor, jueteng still exists, he added.
Asked on the continuing operation of jueteng, Baguio Police Chief Moises Guevarra claimed this is an isolated case.
He said bet collectors would immediately be apprehended if they are seen collecting.
At the City Council, the body approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Perlita Chan-Rondez, which enjoined residents of Baguio to participate and oppose jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling here.
Bautista delivered his Soca after the flag-raising ceremonies at City Hall grounds.
Through shared responsibility, the mayor said Baguio's officialdom was able to address and continues to find permanent solutions to cleanliness concerns, peace and order, investments, morality, traffic, squatting, infrastructure, education, health, illegal vending inter-agency and inter-department relations and quality financial management.
Bautista said his directives on the 7 p.m. curfew, noise curfew and illegal vending may have been harsh but this brought about increased confidence in the government by the general public.
"While hundreds may shed tears upon our actions, let use consider that on the other hand, we were successful in bringing back smiles, comfort and security to students on the rush, our workers on the move, our legit businessmen, hundreds of thousands of Baguio revelers and of course the self-effacing housewife know now that indeed, I am comfortable with a happy majority," the mayor said.
Transactions at City Hall have likewise been addressed via the adoption of the electronic accounting system.
Bautista said this resulted in timely remittances of its legal obligations.
With the intensified drive on the closure of erring businesses, business permit applications increased to 15 percent this year compared to the same period last year.
More than 500 establishments have likewise been closed for failure to obtain government permits.
Assets of the City Government like the Asin mini-hydroelectric power plants and Burnham Park have also been managed fairly well albeit setbacks on the lack of funds and manpower.
In terms of the solid waste management system, Bautista said although the segregation scheme was not successful on the first week it was implemented, conversion of the open dumpsite into a controlled dump facility was a major achievement by the City Environment and Parks Management Office.
He also pledged that in the next few years of his term, education would be his priority. "When we educate, we sow moral uprightness and respect for the laws of our land. If we reap moral uprightness, we sow better leaders. If we have better leaders who are endowed with political will, we are sure to have that culture of significance and impact that would place our city in a higher level in all respects." (RO)
