CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 15 (PIA) — With over 500 classrooms built, 130 km roads concreted, 2 more hospitals established, 60 livelihood projects implemented, major tourist spots rehabilitated and basic services boosted, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said CDO is changing and transforming into a better city during the 68th CDO Charter Day Celebration on June 15 at Kiosko Kagawasan, here.
“Cagayan de Oro is blessed and continues to be blessed. The blessings of modern day living are already here in our beloved city but we need to constantly and continuously work for an even better city,” the senator said.
In 2017, the regional budget for infrastructure reached to Php17.22 billion and in 2018, Pimentel said the government allocated Php17.36 billion to boost the region’s airports, seaports, bridges, and roads.
Moreover, City Mayor Oscar Moreno said such budget is essential for the flood control program of the city where a projected Php80 million will be used for the urban drainage from Xavier University to Burgos Street.
As for education, the mayor revealed a bigger target for this year aiding the needs of the pupils and students from City Central School with the 50-storey building. In addition, scholarships covering 1,500 students and 4,000 Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) will serve as the priority program of the Committee on Education.
In ensuring quality health and hospital services, the city government currently sponsors the PhilHealth premiums costing Php120 million annually for more than 50,000 indigent families.
Furthermore, the JR Borja General Hospital posted a positive performance in 2017 noted by increases in patients admitted, birth deliveries and surgical operations conducted. Also, two more hospitals will be built in Lumbia and Tablon.
On moving towards metropolization of the city, the local government intensified its effort to get rid of unused and unsightly utility wires that hang on electric and telco posts throughout the city. Plans were also laid out to fully develop the city as the major gateway, trans-shipment hub, key education and financial center in Nothern Mindanao.
Aside from boosting the infrastructure, education and health services, Moreno said the local government has successfully opened the 25-hectare City Sanitary Landfill in 2017.
Mitigating the adverse impacts of flooding is also a primary concern of the LGU thus, a total of 241 hectares were reforested across various watershed/forest, coastal/marine and urban areas in the city.
With all the developments and progress of the city, Moreno recognized the efforts and contributions of each Kagay-anon in attaining a better CDO. He, however, urged everyone to feel the pain as something bad happens outside the city and happy as well if peace is happening in neighboring areas.
“Solidarity must be strengthened by compassion. The answer is in each one of us. Start solidarity at home,” Moreno said.(RTP/PIA10)Â by Recthie T. Paculba