Mayor John Dalipe spelled out his administration’s gains in employment, economy and infrastructure for the past seven months as he delivered his first State of the City Address (SOCA) during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Monday, Jan. 30, at the Astoria Regency Convention Center in Pasonanca, this city.
Dalipe said to help local businesses get back on their feet and revitalize the local economy he formalized last year four night market sites— Pettit Barracks, Baban St. in Baliwasan, IBT in Divisoria and main public market— benefitting at least 303 micro and small business enterprises.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office with the support of the City Administrator’s Office conducted numerous job fairs, generating 11,966 applications, and 3,900 job seekers finding employment. Likewise, 600 residents had benefitted from the Cash for Work Program
He also took pride in saying that his seven-month-old administration had institutionalized the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), which will allow it to deliver its objectives with greater effectiveness and efficiency, and strengthen its employment programs and services. This move will foster cooperation among industries, employers, and job seekers, opening more employment opportunities, partnerships and collaborations.
The Investment Priorities Plan for calendar years 2023 to 2025 has already been signed. To encourage the influx of investments into Zamboanga City, Dalipe ordered to lower the minimum investment cost from P10 million to P3 million, and P1 million for agriculture, agribusiness and fishery.
Qualified investors will enjoy business tax holiday and 0% tax rate for real properties.
On infrastructure, Dalipe said his administrations has been coordinating with House Majority Leader District 2 Rep. Mannix Dalipe and District 1 Rep. Khymer Olaso in the creation of several roads which are now in use.
Foremost of these infrastructures is the first flyover project in Zamboanga City, which began construction in September last year, and he was hopeful that by the third quarter next year, ay puede ya kita usa el first flyover at the intersection of Governor Camins, Vetarans Avenue and MCLL Tetuan highway.
“Many more roads are in various stages of construction and planning to divert traffic from the city, and shorten travel time from the east coast to the west coast, and vice versa,” the young Dalipe declared, adding that alternative routes in and out of the city are being explored, with the objective of decongesting the central business districts.
Dalipe is also in the process of moving the City Hall and other LGU offices outside the central business district in his bid to decentralize the services of the city. “I am hopeful that this will be attained within my first term,” he said.
The long-awaited transfer of Zamboanga International Airport to Mercedes also took center stage in Dalipe’s hour-long address to the local legislature, saying that it is now coming to reality, with 33 of the 342 landowners already having received payment from the city. “We aim at least 50% of the landowners getting payment this year, and fully purchase all the 342 lots next year.”
“Ta desea yo na año 2025 principia ya el construccion del New Zamboanga International Airport, y ojala na 2030, man takeoff ya kita na Nuevo Zamboanga International Airport,” he said with confidence.
Barely seven months in office, Dalipe said the City Planning and Development Office and the City Engineer’s Office will implement the creation of the so-called Primary Development Cores outside the central business district in barangays Ayala, Mercedes, Culianan and Sangali. “Hinde lang kita concentra na un lugar el progreso, extende kita con este na entero 98 barangays por buen de todo,” he declared.
He also cited the construction of the Mega Health Center in Sangali now 50% complete. Plans are also underway for the creation of another mega Health Center in Manicahan and Talon-Talon, with the lots for these projects already purchased by the city government. Two new high schools are in the works with possible locations already scouted in Arena Blanco and Tumaga to address classroom shortage. (Vic Larato, photo courtesy by Eugene Elnar)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)