Hagedorn goes 'green'

MANILA, Philippines - “It is my dream to make Puerto Princesa a home for God-fearing, disciplined, progressive and environmentally-conscious people,” said Mayor Edward Hagedorn in an interview with The STAR.

Lighting up a 150-foot Christmas tree on Dec. 1, the Christmas emblem was radiantly lighted with 400,000 bulbs. He said the theme for this year is gift-giving.

“Santa Claus is still very much alive in the hearts of many people, especially the children who wish Santa goes around in his sleigh pulled by Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, on the eve when Christ was born,” he enthused.

Proving that Hagedorn means business when he stated his leadership agenda, there are no beggars roaming around the streets of Puerto Princesa, more so, not a single litter is seen around the city’s streets.

“Once, the Badjaos begged and threw garbage all over. I met all of them, gave P50,000 each to around 70 families for them to start their business so here they are, selling trinkets, native-woven bags, among others,” he said.

Recalling that before he became mayor, he was an ordinary businessman running his own restaurant in the stretch of the city’s main thoroughfare, saying that at night he dished out some popular songs with his guitar to lure customers.

Motivated by his willingness to help other people, he was convinced to run against a long-serving incumbent with a vision of turning the dismal image of Puerto Princesa into an environment-conscious, tourist-friendly and economically competent local government unit.

Winning his first term as a minority mayor, Hagedorn turned the engine of growth in terms of environment protection, cleanliness and peace and order.

Oplan Linis, Bantay Puerto, Bantay Dagat and Bantay Gubat are among the programs that he prioritized immediately.

He institutionalized the Pista ng Kagubatan (Feast of the Forest), a yearly tree planting activity which draws thousands of residents as well as tourists to the mountains to reforest bald areas. This created an impact that pushed the city to national and international fame.

Now on his 14th year as city mayor, his third term ended in 2001, he was lured back to run in a recall election in 2002 and won a fresh mandate that set a Philippine jurisprudence record when the recall was brought to the Supreme Court.

Hagedorn has been recognized as the first Filipino political leader who made environmental protection as the centerpiece of his administration.