ILOILO City – Theirs is a leadership that truly delivers, and people recognize this as reflected in the most recent survey of Random Access Consultants, Inc. (RACI), according to Mayor Jerry Treñas, referring to his tandem with Cong. Julienne Baronda and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.
“Ang mga tawo nabatyagan kag nakit-an nga kon naga-inupdanay ang congressman, mayor, vice mayor kag mga konsehales, mahapos ang development sa aton syudad,” said Treñas.
The people are seeing the city government’s development programs and projects transforming Iloilo into a better, progressive and more livable place, he said.
Among these programs are the rehabilitation of public markets, redevelopment of public plazas, improvement of health centers, establishment of Iloilo City Action and Response (ICARE) command center and its satellite offices, socialized housing projects, free dialysis for indigent residents, and improving school facilities and daycare centers, among others, according to Treñas.
The most recent RACI survey showed Treñas in full throttle with 80.8% while his challenger is miles away biting the dust at a mere 18.8%. This means eight in every 10 voters are going to choose one of the country’s best local chief executives over the second placer.
For congressman, Baronda leads with 64.7% over the second placer who merely got 34% despite the rabid sustained attacks and propaganda against the congresswoman. This means six in every 10 voters will choose her over the challenger.
Vice Mayor Ganzon, on the other hand, got 85.5% while his contender is at the far end with only 14.2%. For every 10 voters, eight will choose Ganzon while one might pick the second placer. The other 1% are the undecided voters.
One big infrastructure project the city government is undertaking is the Iloilo City Hospital which aims to improve the delivery of public healthcare service to the Ilonggos.
The city government is also constructing the Iloilo Legislative Building on the Kerr Compound adjacent to the Iloilo City Hall; this will provide a more conducive working environment for the city legislators who craft ordinances and resolutions for the betterment of the city, and generate resources and revenues for the city’s development plans, program objectives and priorities.
Treñas also cited the city government’s partnership with the private sector. SM Development Corporation, for example is constructing 120 low-rise condominium units for qualified city hall employees.
The city government is also in talks with SM for the redevelopment of two public markets – the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market.
These projects and more are proof of the city government’s “unyielding courage and unwavering commitment” to deliver results despite the challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I campaign very hard for our entire slate because together it will be easy for the city’s development to continue. But it is really up to the electorate because ang nagaboto indi ta man madiktahan. Ako ‘ya I am very open about it. I have been campaigning very hard for the congresswoman, for the vice mayor and for the 12 councilors, and also for our party-list, ang Uswag Ilonggo, kag sa national kay Vice President Leni Robredo (for president),” said Treñas.
The mayor also reiterated that the business sector here is enjoying incentive from the city government such as the three-year no increase in real property tax and business tax.
“Nakita sang pumoluyo ta nga waay kita nagpasaka taxes for three years pero may sufficient kita nga pundo. Ang pag-atipan ta sa pumoluyo sige-sige,” said Treñas.
For example, informal settlers are getting houses through a socialized housing program. The city government is constructing tenements in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district.
There is another housing project for informal settlers also in Barangay San Isidro. An initial 240 informal settlers families (ISF) affected by infrastructure projects in the metropolis will benefit from the Uswag Residential Complex housing project.
Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon is also facilitating the funding for another four low-rise buildings to be built by the National Housing Authority (NHA) in the coming months, said Treñas.
With a good business climate, investments keep on coming in, bringing with them more job opportunities for the Ilonggos, he stressed.
The city government has different approaches to make doing business easy, Treñas said. Its Business One Stop Shops in malls, for example, are a big help for easy and convenient transactions for business permits renewal and/or applications, he said.
“We take care of everyone,” according to Treñas, “even in the midst of the pandemic. People are seeing what we have done and what we continue to do.”/PN