Belmonte bares 2nd-term strategy for QC

Re-elected Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. presented yesterday a five point-strategy that will be adopted by his administration in the next three years and beyond to pursue the vision of transforming the city into a "Quality Community."

The strategy involves equitable sharing of development gains, increased efficiency in public service, clearer and more attractive stimulants for business and high impact development.

This was bared by Belmonte during his inaugural speech after taking his oath before Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

"Just like any effective enterprise, Quezon City’s development and transformation require a comprehensive and strategic framework. We have to look forward not only to the next three years but far beyond to determine what we can do now to ensure a better future of our people," he said.

Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista and newly elected congressmen Vicente Crisologo, Anna Rosa Susano, Nanette Castelo Daza and Mat Defensor were also sworn into office.

Belmonte took his oath with daughter Joy by his side. On hand for the ceremony were his sons Isaac and Miguel, family members and top city and national officials, led by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. City hall and barangay officials, business and civic leaders also witnessed the affair.

The mayor later administered the oathaking of 24 elected councilors for the four districts of the city.

Belmonte expressed gratitude to the people of Quezon City for the fresh mandate and renewed his commitment to devote his time in ensuring the delivery of basic services to the people.

In his second term, the mayor said his goal would be to maximize the gains accomplished by his administration.

"We will be making strategic investments in the continued physical transformation of the city through infrastructure building and support facilities and in long term provision for creating a much improved quality life for Quezon City residents, particularly the poor," he said.

In Pasay City, re-elected Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad took his oath of office yesterday with a call for a more cooperative opposition.

Vowing to serve the people of Pasay with honesty, Trinidad said he would be open to reconciliation even if the opposition still refuses to concede.

He was sworn into office by Justice Vicente Yap during the Monday morning flagraising ceremony in front of city hall.

The mayor said his fresh three-year mandate would focus on peace and order and social services.

He plans to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs, which he considers as the biggest menace of the city.

The mayor also said he would create more livelihood programs as part of the drive to eradicate poverty.

In Muntinlupa City, re-elected Mayor Jaime Fresnedi took his oath with a similar appeal to his rivals.

"It’s time for healing and reconciliation. We should now all reconcile and work with one goal for the betterment of the city," Fresnedi said after being sworn in by Judge Juanito Guerrero.

As part of his eight-point program, which covers education, health, peace and order, environment, local governance, socialized housing and economic development, the mayor is eyeing the implementation of more low-cost housing programs for the poor, the setting up of a sports complex and a technical school in Barangay Putatan.

Meanwhile, the Commssion on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed for lack of merit a petition filed by losing mayoralty bet Macario "Boy" Asistio Jr. seeking to nullify the proclamation of mayor-elect Enrico "Recom" Echeverri.

Echeveri is set to assume office by noon tomorrow after being proclaimed winner on May 17.

In a five-page resolution, the poll body’s First Division, chaired by Commissioner Rufino Javier, resolved to strike down the petition for lack of merit.

Asistio, who landed last among four in the mayoralty race, filed the petition in relation to an earleir disqualification suit filed against Echiverri, mayoral bet Rep. Edgar Erice and outgoing Mayor Rey Malonzo for allegedly conspiring with one another to commit electoral fraud in the May 2004 elections.

The Comelec said that while the three were candidates under the Lakas banner, such a fact proves nothing more than that they were indeed partymates, but did not prove that they conspired with each other.— With Edu Punay, Jerry Botial