JVR stresses achievements

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes (JVR), in his speech delivered before city hall workers and supporters yesterday afternoon, outlined the achievements of his administration in his first 100 days since he assumed office.

Delos Reyes, a neophyte mayor, said the first public pharmacy, which was opened last week, the new ambulances and the asphalt-overlaying projects were just among the progress his administration was able to deliver on its first three months since he took office.

The ambulances, police cars (also given during his administration), and garbage trucks were parked in front of city hall, where he made his speech.

“Maihap na lang sa kamot ang wa nako nahimo,” said Delos Reyes, in an interview with the media, in reference to promises made to people during the campaign period.

The public pharmacy at the ground floor level of the city hall is one of the banner projects of his administration, the new mayor said.

Delos Reyes said it has been his objective to build such a project, considering that medicine is among the basic needs of the people.

And with that, the indigent patient will only have to

go to the city hall to avail of free medicine and not to private drug stores, where the previous administration used to have a tie up with and pay millions for medicine purchases each year, he said.

The mayor assured the new set-up guarantees quality medicine at cheaper prices as these are purchased from manufacturers themselves.

The four ambulances, which were distributed to rural health units 1, 2, and 3 and one to the Talisay Rescue and Emergency Assistance Team (TREAT), are also expected to facilitate the needs of the city residents, especially those from the mountain barangays, during emergency situations, he said.

“Bisan naa pa sa kabukiran, dili na maproblema kay kuhaon na sila sa ambulansya ug ihatud sa hospital nga libre. Para ilaha gyud ni tanan,” said Delos Reyes.

Delos Reyes said he provided the ambulances after complaints reached his office that the Talisay District Hospital, run by the national government, charges P500 for each patient who uses its ambulance.

“Wa man tay mahimo ana kay sa national man na,” said Delos Reyes when asked if he plans to stop it.

The situation at the Tabunok Public Market, however, remains an issue that Delos Reyes’ administration has to overcome.

Upon their insistence, vendors from the Lagtang Public Market were moved there a few months ago despite the dilapidated structures that make up the entire market.

But the mayor said “within this year” the construction of the new public market building in the area will start.

He said he has already talked with a private individual who promised to finance and build the new public market. “Naay usa ka tawo nga mo-finance. Human sa kontrata, iuli sa Talisay (the building), kita nay operate,” he said.

Delos Reyes explained that the vendors will not have to worry about the rent, as this contractor has assured him that the present rental fees would be affordable.

But while these are still talks, the mayor said the city was able to clean the old market and constructed plant boxes in the neighboring areas (under the flyover) to keep ambulant vendors from these areas.

Another glaring issue that Delos Reyes is still facing is the swelling job order workers at city hall, which has reached to over 2,000, drying out further the city’s funds. “Pangutan-on sa nato ang mga konsehal ngano na. Ang ako wa gani kaabot og 300,” he told reporters.

“Dapat di unta maingun ana kung misugot pa lang ang mga konsehal nga 5 ra ilaha pareha sa una,” he said. For now, each councilor from the opposition has 50 job order workers under his quota, and there are nine of them, while Delos Reyes’ allied councilor, three of them, are getting more, plus, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, who could reportedly endorse as many as the mayor’s.  

Delos Reyes, however, said he hopes to resolve this problem through his “adopt a Talisaynon” program, wherein all Talisay-based private firms are required to hire city residents otherwise their business permits will not be renewed.

For the time being, hundreds of Talisay residents have been hired by various companies even including Metro Ware, which reportedly wants 1,500 workers from the city. 

Hundreds of supporters wearing yellow ribbons, city hall workers and department heads came to hear the mayor’s speech.

Of  the 12 members of the city council, only five came, namely, Councilors Socrates Fernandez, Edward Alesna, Danny Cabalero, Val Ylanan, and Dory Emit.

Fernandez, Alesna, and Emit are identified with Alayon.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante also gave his brief speech, assuring the public of a new change and a “non-dictatorial” form of government in Talisay.

Delos Reyes’ speech, which was scheduled at 4 p.m., started at exactly 6 p.m. after several production numbers and a nine-minute audio-video presentation of Delos Reyes’ life as an inventor and a businessman.

The speech was interrupted by applauses and shouts of “Amen” and “thank you.”  (FREEMAN)