Chan vows more good CHANge in Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan pledged to continue the "CHANge" and progress of the city during Lapu-Lapu City's 63rd Charter Day celebration yesterday at the Lapu-Lapu City Hoops Dome.

"Sulod sa 63 ka tuig, much has already been done but still much remains to be done. As a mayor of Lapu-Lapu City, I commit myself to continue the change that we have effected, and sustain the momentum of progress that we have started," Chan said.

Through Republic Act No. 3134, also known as the Charter of the City of Lapu-Lapu, the Municipality of Opon was converted into the City of Lapu-Lapu on June 17, 1961.

In his speech, Chan presented the city's accomplishments for the past years and decades, such as the opening and success of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), inauguration of the Serging Veloso Osmeña Jr. Bridge, the declaration of Mactan Shrine as a national shrine, the establishment of Mactan Export Processing Zone, and inauguration of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge.

The mayor also added the proclamation of Lapu-Lapu City as a highly-urbanized city on January 23, 2007 through Proclamation No. 1222.

Chan further shared the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Typhoon Odette to the city and its residents.

"Our resilience, our political actions, and our unity as Oponganon people were our secret weapons to weather the storm," Chan said.

Despite challenges, Chan vowed to realize his plans and shared vision to the Oponganons with the support of congressional partners Majority Floor Leader Speaker Congressman Martin Romualdez, Congresswoman Yedda Romualdez of Tingog Partylist, and Congresswoman Ma. Cynthia "Cindi" King Chan.

The mayor said that major infrastructure projects will be established in Lapu-Lapu City during his term such as road expansion and improvements, opening of new roads, construction of a drainage system with outfalls, rehabilitation of government buildings and facilities damaged by Typhoon Odette, construction of socialized housing facilities, and the construction of a senior citizen center under the first bridge.

He also emphasized the construction of new bridges such as a fourth bridge connecting Barangay Ibo to Mandaue City and the construction of a bridge connecting Sudtunggan in Barangay Basak to Barangay Gabi, as well as the construction of a coastal road connecting Barangays Pajo, Pusok, and Ibo, which will be implemented this year.

Chan further mentioned the construction of a circumferential road; the construction of the Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX) connecting the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the construction of the mega reclamation project, a commercial center with business hubs, an economic zone, and a recreational park.

"Sauna damgo lang kini. Damgo lang kining tanan pero karon ato nang matagaan og katumanan. Atong ipadayon ang kalamboan nga atong nasugdan," Chan said.

Lapu-Lapu City officials, city government department heads, Sangguniang Kabataan officials, local government unit officers, employees, and guests attended the event. — Jonalyn Infante, CNU interns (FREEMAN)