soca2007

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STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESSMayor Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando

6th Regular Session of the 4th City Council of Marikina7 February 2007

Quadrangle, Marikina City Hall

Years ago, we started by doing what was necessary, then tackled what was possible, andnow we are pursuing those previously thought to be impossible. Our efforts have notwavered from building a community that is fair, democratic and forward looking . Iam proud to say that Marikina is headed towards the right direction. Our hard work ,competitive spirit and political maturity have borne dividends.

We have moved from the traditional system of politics to a result-based system of performance politics. Every agency of our government is made to account for itsperformance. We have stretched whatever resources were available to do justice to ourpeople’s share in governance.

Turning Vision into Reality

We now see the fruition of our efforts in the pursuit of our vision of becoming a little Singapore . Our house is in order. We have done face-lifting on some old structuresalong major thoroughfares in support of the Metro Gwapo Program . Our existingsettlement sites have been upgraded by concreting roads and alleys, construction of drainage, getting rid of stray animals and other eyesores and providing the necessaryamenities. This includes the ISKINITA ni GMA which covers 900 meters of alleys inBalubad, Nangka. We have signed several agreements with lot owners and have moved

closer to our vision of a squatter-free Marikina.

We are coming closer to putting an end to the perennial problem of flooding in some low-lying areas near our river with the expansion of our concrete road dike. The road dike isnow 2 kms. long; and this is the best technical solution to our nagging problem of flooding. In recent years, the number of evacuees resulting from river overflow had gonedown significantly. This is indicative of the positive impact of the road dike in terms of flood mitigation.

We have constructed an additional 11 kms. of bicycle lanes. There are now a total of 51kms. of bikelanes. This project is targeted to be completed by March this year. Thebikelane will soon be connected to the LRT Station in Santolan as the city has recentlycompleted negotiation for the purchase of a property along Marcos Highway. This willfulfill our dream of connecting all Marikeños to the international airport and the rest of theworld. This facility is important to our constituents who cannot afford motor vehicles andwho have the right to mobility without getting maimed or killed.

Integral to improving the quality of our environment is the development of pocket parks.In 2006, we developed 17 new people parks covering a total area of 4 hectares. Weplanted 2,000 trees in various parts of the city, exceeding our target of 1,000 new trees ayear. Our efforts had been relentless in expanding our city’s green areas not only to

maintain a balance between urbanization and environmental preservation, but also toalleviate urban heat. People’s Park is important because it is a public place where peoplemeet as equals regardless of their social status.

Also in 2006, we expanded the People’s Mall by roofing additional 1,000 meters of roadways. Now, our whole market zone is covered. The attendant benefit of such anexpansion in terms of security and convenience to the market goers and market vendors

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cannot be overemphasized. The People’s Mall is important because it is our city’s leadingeconomic enterprise and, at the same time, our country’s showcase of a healthy marketplace.

Our roadside improvement and upgrading of drainage system covered an aggregate of 37

kms. This furthered our vision of making our city walkable and flood-free . Our effortsat improving urban quality are being complemented by the construction of the C-5 roadby-pass project by the DPWH which will become functional within the year. Thisinfrastructure will not only improve access and mobility, but will also change the face of our city.

Powerful Images of Economic Progress

The foundation that we had laid down is now bearing fruit. We can see powerful imagesof economic progress around us. The ICT Call Center opened at the Riverbanks whichcurrently employs 1,700 people. Another Call Center will soon rise at the Robinson’sSupermarket across Blue Wave Marquinton whose construction is now nearing completion.

Adjacent to the Robinson’s Supermarket is the Marikina Valley Medical Center - - - amodern tertiary hospital which is now fully operational. The construction of Shoe Mart bythe river is in progress. When completed, it will create 4,000 jobs and income-generatingopportunities, further pumping new blood into our economy.

An encouraging number of new business establishments have sprouted along Bayan-Bayanan and A. Tuazon Avenues. These are two areas where economic activitiescongregate without spoiling our city’s physical integrity.

Political Maturity

The basic manifestation of political maturity is the people’s faithful compliance to their taxobligations. Our city generated an annual income of Php1.3B in 2006. We hadwitnessed once again the enthusiasm of our constituents in paying their taxes asdemonstrated by the immense crowd that swarmed the city hall lobby right at the onset of the year. Gone was the old habit of late payment of taxes. It has been superseded byprompt and correct payment of taxes which is indeed a beacon of political maturity.

Notwithstanding the population increase, the average volume of waste generated a daydropped from 600 cubic meters in 2005 to 500 cubic meters in 2006. This could beattributed to the people’s support and commitment to the city’s call for waste segregationin households. We also recorded a high waste diversion rate of 30%, which is the highestin Metro Manila. It was even higher than what the law mandates, which is 20%.

The spirited engagement of Bantay Bayan in our city’s peace-keeping efforts likewisemirrors political maturity. Men and women alike continued to come forward to volunteertheir services to help protect lives and properties. Our city staged a number of crowd-drawing events; and the Bantay Bayan played a pivotal role in keeping them safe andhassle-free.

Patronage of the Rehiyon Rehiyon Festival, Angkan Angkan Festival, Shoe Festival andMarikina Christmas Festival was another vivid manifestation of our people’s support tocity-initiated activities. We had seen how the crowd that witnessed these eventssignificantly swelled in 2006.

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Professionalizing the Bureaucracy

We efficiently stockpiled supplies and materials for the use of the various offices of the citygovernment. Efficient stockpiling is critical to the efficient delivery of programs andservices. Our Central Warehouse is touted as the cleanest and most organized

government warehouse in the entire Metro Manila.

We embarked on E-Health Care to improve the administration of our health services.The computerization of records and systems will particularly result in improved logisticaland patient management. This project will be expanded in 2007 to cover all our healthcenters.

We had moved the local PNP to its new office on the ground floor of Justice Hall. Itsignaled the concretization of our commitment to improve the crime-fighting capabilities of our police force. The police has taken an active role in our efforts at boosting our localeconomy through its professional service. A highly professional PNP that it is today wouldalways be an image-enhancing element in our community.

We had put in place Management Information System, Geographic Information Systemand Internet Map Viewer for better access to information, better planning and betterdecision making. These are imperatives of a client-friendly cityhall.

In 2006, we launched the Marikina City First Employees Welfare Fund . Under thispackage, city hall employees, regardless of the nature of employment, can avail of cashbenefit in the event of hospitalization and funeral assistance . This is anothermilestone in our efforts to boost the spirit of our city hall employees.

Our claim to a professionalized bureaucracy was validated by the Seal of Frontline Service Excellence which was awarded by the Civil Service Commission to theBusiness Permits and Licensing Office in 2006. The City Treasurer’s Office, on theother hand, earned a Very Good Performance Rating from the same agency. Thesetwo offices clearly stood out from among the seventeen (17) local government units inMetro Manila in terms of client-friendly and professional service.

More Infrastructure on the Rise

We embarked on a number of vertical infrastructure to address community needs in theareas of education, health, sports and economic development. These emerginginfrastructure include the 3-Storey DepEd Building, Marikina Elementary School, Santan High School, Malanday High School, Multi-Purpose Covered Gymnasium, 8-Storey Marikina Sports Park Building and Diagnostic Center . The old DepEdbuilding will be connected to Teatro Marikina and will house the Doll, Miniature, Belen andClothes Museums. These infrastructure will further enhance our city’s capacity to meetour present and future development needs. They reflect our city’s proactive mindsetwhich is essential in improving competitiveness.

Investing on Education for the Future

Last year, we invested heavily on education in our quest for a better future. We stronglybelieve that education is a major asset that we have to build on. I must thank oureducators for living up to the challenge. They have taken the extra mile to push ourpublic education to the desired level of competitiveness.

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This year we will see the first batch of graduates of 4-year courses at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina . Our strength will continue to rely on schools as an instrumentof behavioral and economic change.

Empowering the Citizenry

A total of 2,000 citizens benefited from our wide array of skills training and other relatedinterventions spearheaded by Center for Excellence and City Women’s Council. This is inaddition to what the Center for Excellence has processed under technical vocational skillsand behavioral and aptitude training numbering 8,000. The Center for Excellence has alsolaunched Training for Call Center Work Program in partnership with TESDA and twoprivate schools. We broadened the wellspring of knowledge of our local people who arehighly employable. We have not only equipped them with skills, but with the right attitudeas well. It is highly essential to have a shared vision and shared values for our city tomove forward.

Through our Workers Affairs Office, we assisted 5,000 jobseekers in finding employment.The City Women’s Council has empowered a significant number of training beneficiaries interms of employment and livelihood endeavors, thus, contributing a great deal in thereduction of our city’s unemployment statistics. We remained steadfast in our fightagainst unemployment. We effectively served as a conduit between employers and

jobseekers.

We continued to employ in the city hall an average of 500 volunteers at a time workingfour (4) hours a day. It is a program that does not only accord volunteers an opportunityto earn a modest income, but also inculcates in them the virtues of discipline, hard

work and productivity .

Extensive Networking

We strengthened and expanded our network through our city’s active participation in theLeague of Cities of the Philippines and its major thrust: City Development Strategy . We had the honor of being invited as resource persons and participants in the2006 World Urban Forum held in Vancouver, Canada and a number of CITYNET-sponsored fora. CITYNET is an association of premier cities in Asia that provides member-cities avenues for learning, exchanges and benchmarking for improved governance andglobal competitiveness.

We formalized our sister-city alliance with Brampton City, Ontario, Canada and arenow in the process of establishing one with Blacktown City in Australia . City officialsof Brampton are slated to pay a visit to our city this year as part of our exchangeprograms.

Nurturing Arts and Culture

Our city remained a strong advocate of the arts and cultural appreciation anddevelopment. We went beyond the ordinary in expressing our love for the arts and

culture by adopting renowned Filipino performers, namely: the Philharmonic Orchestra,Philippine Ballet, Rock Education Artists, Ilustrador ng Kabataan and Madrigal Singers asHonorary Citizens of Marikina. Their recognition plaques are on display at TeatroMarikina.

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This judicious selection of aesthetic influences had bolstered our resolve to make our citythe fulcrum of arts and culture in eastern metropolis and Rizal. This week Marikina playshost to the International Dance Conference on Pangalay. We will have the chance to seethem dance later tonight.

Better Barangay Governance

2006 saw the birth of a new barangay in Barangay Tumana, bringing to sixteen (16) thenumber of barangays in our city. The creation of Barangay Tumana stemmed from theneed to divide into two geographically large and highly dense barangays to enhancecommunity management. We appointed barangay officials whom we feel have the distincttraits to meet the challenges of managing this culturally-diverse community. In a shortspan of time, peace and order have been restored in this once rowdy community, thanksto a vigilant governance and a staunchly dedicated police precinct, working hand in handwith barangay leaders.

I must commend all the Barangay Captains for proving equal to the task of communitybuilding and development. Notwithstanding the rapid urbanization, our communities havebeen kept in a high state of livability.

The contribution of Homeowners and Community Association Presidents in ensuringcompliance to the National Building Code in their respective jurisdictions could not beoverlooked. Their active participation in governance has made so much difference.

Our communities now have become more manageable. Our settlement site in Balubad,Nangka has been divided into several associations that facilitated the MOA signing with

TQG Enterprises, the land developer of the Tuason.

Meaningful Legislation

As in the past years, our city was privileged to have a dynamic and working legislativebody in 2006. What else could speak for their significant accomplishments but the manypieces of legislation enacted in 2006, including the following:

• Ordinance Regulating the Junkshop Operation

• Ordinance Creating the Marikina City Council and Barangay Councils for the

Protection of Children and Appropriating in the City and Barangay AnnualBudget One Percent (1%) of its Annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

• Ordinance Creating a Business Complaints Committee and Defining its Dutiesand Functions.

• Ordinance Establishing the Marikina City First Employees Welfare Fund.

While the basic function of the City Council is to legislate changes, some of our councilorsassumed lead roles in managing important city projects and activities to include Rehiyon- Rehiyon Festival, Police Memorial Day, International Sports Events and

Management Information System .

Our Vice Mayor has once again shown his savvy in spearheading an anti-illegal drugcampaign with remarkable results. He has carried out, and continues to carry out, thisspecial task without fear and compromise. All these demonstrate the competence,dedication and versatility of the members of our City Council. Marikina shall not run out of good leaders who can carry on the task of building a bright future.

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DEL Delivers

Our good Congressman Del de Guzman has lived-up to our people’s high level of expectations by being actively engaged in the work of Congress and by deliveringmultifarious projects. Some of his significant achievements in 2006 include the following:

• Passage of Republic Act 9364 Creating another Congressional District in Marikina City. With two congressional districts, there will be an enhancedflow of funds and resources from the national government to our city throughthe Priority Development Assistance Funds of our two representatives inCongress. District 1 will be composed of Barangays Barangka, IVC, Sto. Niño,Jesus dela Peña, Tañong, San Roque, Malanday, Sta. Elena and Kalumpang.District 2, on the other hand, will be comprised of Barangay Marikina Heights,Concepcion I, Concepcion II, Fortune, Parang, Nangka and Tumana.

• Passage of Republic Act 9290 otherwise known as the Footwear, Leather Goods and Tannery Industries Development Act.

• Allocation of PhP50M for hard infrastructure to include road and drainageimprovement projects, 11 multi-purpose buildings and 3 school buildings.

• Allotment of PhP18M to the City Government as LGU Assistance, PhP5M forDSWD, PhP4M for public hospitals and PhP2.5M for Philhealth coverage.

Operating with Vigor, Passion and Focus

I must acknowledge the Executive Branch comprising 31 offices for doing their job withvigor, passion and focus. Once again, our city did not incur budgetary deficit. This speaks

well of judicious management and utilization of our financial resources. We also boast of productive and dedicated human assets in 2,000 city employees.

I am proud to say that in the last six years, we have not added manpower to thebureaucracy, but instead have extended more services to our constituency. This speaks of a highly productive civil service team. What the Executive Branch had accomplished lendscredence to the popular impression of our institution as a working bureaucracy .

Major Awards/Citations

Again, our city garnered scores of major awards and recognitions in 2006, including thefollowing:

• Most Competitive Metro City in the Philippines Given by the Asian Institute of Management, Policy Center

• Healthy Cities Award for Outstanding Performance in Healthy City Endeavors Given by the World Health Organization

• Healthy Cities Award, Best Practice in Emergency Preparedness Planning Given by the World Health Organization

•

One of the Three Most Child-Friendly Cities in Metro Manila Given by:Department of Social Welfare and Development–NCR/Office of the President

• 2006 People of the Year for Public Service Given by: People Asia Magazine

These awards attest to the good governance that we have been able to sustain throughthe years.

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Development Directions in 2007 and Beyond

2007 will usher in new milestones towards economic prosperity . We will takeadvantage of opportunities that will grow our economy and create opportunities for all.Our city is now ripe for more investments. We look forward to 2007 as a boom year for

Marikina.

Our city is ready to take a new thrust in 2007. Our eyes are now set towards a new visionof becoming a Model City in Competitiveness in Southeast Asia by 2015 . In thepursuit of this vision, we expect greater private sector participation in governance underthe framework of the Public Governance System , which involves multiple sectors in theformulation of a road map, project execution and monitoring strategies in support of thecity’s journey to 2015. Marikina’s PGS is composed of representatives from various sectorsin our city headed by Engr. Ed Francisco of Business and Dr. Larry de Guzman of

Academe . It is now in the process of formulating sectoral action plans that will serve asits guidepost from hereon to 2015.

To be globally competitive, we will take a hard look at two models namely: Vancouver, Canada and Bogota, Colombia . The Vancouver and Bogota models encourage mixedland uses, green areas interspersing with gray areas, upward development being moreefficient, greater access to major transport channels, less cars and more walking.Vancouver and Bogota provide excellent benchmarks in good urban management withemphasis on effective land utilization.

In 2007 we can expect the following:

• More and better schools for improved learning and competitiveness.

• Strengthening of the Speak English Campaign to include Speech Laboratory atthe Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina that will help equip Call Centeraspirants with English proficiency.

• Greater involvement of parents in developing their children’s good study habits.

• Adoption of TESDA’s ladderized extension program as an intervention in makingavailable tertiary education for the marginalized youth.

•

Better strategies to find long-term employment for job seekers.• Launching of Marikina’s Best Managed Communities which is aimed at

promoting good governance and responsible citizenship by giving recognition togood practices covering various facets of community management amongsubdivision and homeowners’ associations.

• Printing and circulation of the new edition of the Marikina Fact Book tofurther promote institutional transparency and accountability.

• Pursuit of waste water treatment initiatives.

• Implementation of sixty (60) various infrastructure projects to address our city’sinfrastructure needs to fuel economic growth.

• Operationalization of the all-weather Tumana Bridge resulting in improvedmobility and traffic decongestion in our major thoroughfares.

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• Establishment of new performance standards to guide city hall employees forhigher productivity.

• Full computerization of the city hall.

• Establishment of Citywide Internet Canopy Network which will connect the

barangays, schools and health centers to the city government.

• Establishment of first E-court in the country.

• Better police visibility with the provision of more vehicles and computerconnections in all police stations.

• Increased security for marketgoers with the installation of monitoring/securitycameras within the vicinity of People’s Mall.

• Establishment of Marikina Business Registry Data Bank thru the initiative of Marikina Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

• Opening of Camacho, Nangka Livelihood Center to expand our reach foreconomically nurturing activities.

We will continue to build a Dream City where there is equal application of rules and greatopportunities for all. We will continue to build a society where every individual is treatedfairly, mindful of the fact that such treatment encourages people to put a stake in the city,to work hard, to dedicate themselves to their craft and to measure up to the standards of being Marikeños.

A Call to Action

I call upon everyone to join our city on its journey into the future. I look forward toanother year of dynamic and productive partnership with our good Congressman, theSangguniang Panglungsod, Barangay Governments, the Judiciary, educators,businessmen, homeowners and community associations, religious groups, socio-civicorganizations, women’s groups and other stakeholders.

I am proud of our city and the progress we have made together. I am proud of howwe’ve come through the tough times and the choices we have made. And I am humbledby the people of Marikina whose faith, perseverance and values have shown why our cityis such a wonderful place to live in.

Many have said it could only be done in Marikina because the Fernandos have thepolitical will – but I say it could only be done because the Marikeños are politically mature . They know that sacrifices have to be made to make a change in our society.Thank you for making those sacrifices – we are now reaping the benefits of the order anddiscipline we have planted. Sa lahat ng vendors na umalis sa bangketa, sa lahat ngnagbayad ng multa sa towing, nagmulta ng dahil sa nahuling aso, nagbigay ng lupa paramaging kalsada, nagbawas ng bahay upang lumapad ang bangketa, nagbayad ng buwis,

nagvolunteer, tumulong – maraming, maraming salamat po.

Let us continue to dream BIG and preserve those dreams with vigor and passion.Together, let us enjoy the adventure that will lead us to our dream city . Soon we willsee not only a Marikina we all love but a great city we continue to be in love with.

Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

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