ILOILO City – A mammoth crowd of some 3,000 showed up to support Mayor Jose Espinosa III during his Team Arangka’s first huge gathering on Friday at Plaza Libertad. He urged them to continue cooperating to sustain the city government’s good governance and progress for the benefit of all.
“I thank all of you for the big help to ensure the success of our plans, priorities, programs, projects, initiatives, and services benefiting the residents. Let us pursue what we have started and work together to achieve our common goal,” Espinosa stressed.
The mayor vowed to continue the city’s gains in the campaigns against illegal drugs and criminality.
He wants more barangays declared as drug-cleared thus he created a team to assist villages in their documentary requirements.
Espinosa said his administration is also on track in maintaining peace and order. He noted the downtrend in the crime volume – over 60 percent reduction as noted by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Authorities are regularly provided with logistical assistance, among others, to effectively carry out law enforcement and public safety programs.
This month, Espinosa will turn over an additional nine new patrol cars to the ICPO to improve policemen’s mobility and visibility and enhance operations.
Espinosa said keeping the city peaceful and livable is a priority because this benefits the Ilonggos.
The local chief executive, who has no case of graft filed against him in his long years of serving the public since he was a city councilor, also vowed to sustain the campaign against corruption.
Clean and transparent governance are what people expect because public office is a public trust, he stressed.
In the area of social services, to date more than 100,000 residents, particularly indigents, persons with disabilities and senior citizens have availed themselves of, among others, free medical and dental services and civil registration via the “Pag-ulikid sang Syudad, Pag-ulikid ni Mayor” community outreach in the barangays.
Meanwhile, this summer vacation the city’s Summer Sports Clinic with 14 kinds of sports will be made available to pupils 13 years old and below in various venues.
Children can choose up to five sports disciplines to join from April 8 to 13.
The sports program also aims to steer the youth away from illegal drugs.
Espinosa also bats for the sustainability of the city’s rich culture and heritage, tourism attractions and best practices which are sources of inspiration and benchmarks for other local government units, agencies, investors, and tourists.
He established children’s playgrounds in the public plazas of Jaro, La Paz and Molo. The one at Plaza Libertad is currently under construction.
Espinosa envisions district plazas having leisure facilities for the young to enjoy and for family bonding such as the Iloilo Esplanade and Sunburst Park./PN
